Troy Austin, who split from Tomlinson's mother Johannah when the singer was five, was reported missing by friends, and police officers subsequently found him in a car in Doncaster, England.

They discovered empty alcohol cans in the vehicle and arrested Austin for refusing to take a breathalyser test. He was subsequently taken to a local hospital and placed on suicide watch.

During a hearing at Doncaster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (19Aug15), prosecutor Joanne Lewis-Crookes said, "This is an unfortunate set of events... He had been reported as a missing person and there were real concerns about his mental state and well-being... It is suspected he went off, having borrowed a friend's car, to kill himself... He was taken to a local police station, but was trying to hurt himself. He was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries caused."

Austin pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to provide a specimen of breath and he was released on bail. He is due to be sentenced on 10 September (15).

The incident comes just a month after the shock news that Tomlinson is expecting a baby with stylist Briana Jungwirth following a brief fling.