Mel Gibson was ordered to do 16 hours of community service, pursue domestic violence counselling and serve three years’ probation, in a deal Friday to end a row over alleged abuse of his ex-partner.
The embattled US actor pleaded no contest in a Los Angeles court to a charge of battery against his former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva in return for a sentence that does not include jail time. He was ordered to undergo a one-year domestic violence counselling program, which he began in January, do community service with a children’s care group, and pay a $400 fine in the plea bargain to end the dispute.
“I have a good grasp of everything my attorney has discussed with me,” Gibson — wearing an open-necked shirt and jacket for the afternoon court hearing — told the judge when asked if he understood his plea.
Police launched an investigation into the Australian-educated actor after Grigorieva, a Russian musician, released recordings of expletive-ridden abusive telephone calls he allegedly made.
He was also accused of beating her in a January 2010 incident at his Malibu home, which came as they were locked in a bitter custody battle over their daughter, born in October 2009.
