Judge praises Mel Gibson progress

Gibson was arrested in Malibu last July when caught speeding Gibson's controversial career

Actor Mel Gibson has been praised by a US Superior Court judge for his efforts in dealing with his alcoholism.

The 51-year-old was ordered to receive treatment in August after admitting driving while drunk in California.

"I truly believe the rehabilitation... in this case is effective," said Judge Lawrence Mira, overseeing the case. "I don't want anything to interrupt that."

Gibson sparked global outrage by making anti-Semitic remarks to the sheriff's deputy who arrested him.

He later apologised for any offence he had caused.

"I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot," he stressed. "Hatred of any kind goes against my faith."

'Working hard'

Gibson had promised to serve three years' probation, pay a fine and attend alcohol rehabilitation classes as part of his punishment.

The actor-director did not attend the latest hearing but his lawyer, Blair Berk, filed a report with the court stating that Gibson was meeting every condition of his rehabilitation programme.

Judge Mira said that he wanted to see Gibson in person at some point in the future, "to ensure we are all on the same page".

Afterwards, Gibson's publicist, Alan Nierob, told the Associated Press news agency his client was "doing very well".

"He's working hard. This is just an ongoing process that he's committed to," he added.