Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was sentenced to three years probation this morning for felony drug possession and driving under the influence.
Tyson won praise from Maricopa County Superior Court judge Helene Abrams for his enrolment in a rehabilitation program.
"Mr Tyson I am very impressed with the letters that have been provided to me from the groups you have spoken to, members of AA,...they all state that you demonstrated true commitment to recovery. For that reason and the others probation is warranted. I am also pleased to see you working towards your GED. This is a very important milestone for you to achieve. But I am most impressed with the fact that you got help almost immediately after your arrest," Abrams told the boxer.
Tyson spoke in a barely audible whisper during the proceedings, telling officials: "I would like to apologize for my actions."
Tyson was arrested Dec. 29 in Scottsdale by a Buckeye officer working a holiday drunken-driving enforcement special operation. Tyson was driving erratically on Scottsdale Road near Drinkwater Boulevard.
At the time he acknowledged a serious substance abuse problem.
Tyson attorneys had argued for probation because he had admitted his mistakes and was trying to battle his addictions. Since his arrest, Tyson had undergone treatment at a California rehabilitation center and worked with children preaching a message of staying sober and keeping off drugs. His attorney said in court he had passed 29 straight drug tests.
"If you do good deeds and you help other people recover, alternatives to imprisonment are the better route," attorney David Chesnoff said outside the courthouse.
Tyson left the court without speaking to reporters. He will report to jail on Tuesday
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Helene Abrams handed down the sentence which includes one day of jail time that Tyson will serve tomorrow. He also is prohibited from drinking for the next three years and is to pay a $3,600 fine.
