Former Neighbours star admits to assault
Former Neighbours star Scott McGregor will have to write a formal apology letter to a female patron at an iconic Melbourne pub after admitting to assault.
The 42-year-old actor returned before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday, supported by his wife and father-in-law.
McGregor was initially charged with intentional sexual touching without consent in November last year, after an incident at the iconic St Kilda beachside pub “The Espy”.
However, the charge was formally withdrawn after the prosecution accepted it was a “non-sexual episode”, and substituted it with a common law assault charge, which McGregor accepted.
Although details of the incident were not aired in court, Magistrate Simon Zebrowski said there was no “sexual element” in the incident.
“The summary I have taken account of is one momentary very slight touch – that’s all,” he said.
“Its an appropriate matter for diversion, no doubt about that.”
The Magistrate placed McGregor on diversion, where no criminal conviction is recorded if he complies with a number of conditions as part of the diversion plan/
The prosecution, defence and the complainant all accepted this as a "favourable" and appropriate course of action.
Diversion means that he did not plead guilty and was not formally found guilty, but he will have to write a letter of gratitude to the police informant, an apology letter to the woman and donate $300 to his charity of choice.
If he complies with these conditions by December, his charges will be formally struck out.
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