Troy Austin, who split from the One Direction star's mother Johannah when the singer was young, had been reported missing and police officers found him in his friend's car surrounded by empty alcohol cans in a parking lot in Doncaster, England.

He refused to take a blood alcohol test and was arrested, and was subsequently taken to hospital and placed on suicide watch due to fears for his safety.

Austin pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to provide a breath test while being in charge of a car and appeared at Doncaster Magistrates' Court on Thursday (10Sep15).

He was given a conditional discharge, 10 points on his driving licence and ordered to pay $400 (£250) in costs.

Chairman of the bench Stuart Highfield told Austin, "We have given you this chance, let's hope it's the one time we see you in court."