Justin Bieber was found guilty of assault and careless driving in a Stratford, Ontario, court Thursday (June 4), a writer for Canada’s National Post reports.
Justin Bieber Charged With Assault, Reckless Driving Near Hometown
Bieber was arrested back in September following a collision between a minivan and an ATV that led to a physical altercation with a paparazzo. At the time, Bieber tweeted: “There should be laws against what I just experienced. We should have learned from the death of Princess Diana,” adding, “I don’t have a problem with Paparazzi but when they act recklessly they put us all in danger.”
Then-girlfriend Selena Gomez was with Bieber during the incident. “Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez’s peaceful retreat in Stratford this weekend was unfortunately disrupted by the unwelcome presence of the paparazzi,” Brian Greenspan, Bieber’s Toronto lawyer, said back in September.
The National Post reporter Joseph Brean live-tweeted the verdict. See his tweets below:
BREAKING: Justin Bieber guilty of assault and careless driving with Selena Gomez in Stratford, Ontario, court. Dangerous driving dropped.
— Joseph Brean (@JosephBrean) June 4, 2015
Crown and Bieber agree on sentence: absolute discharge on assault, $750 fine for careless driving.
— Joseph Brean (@JosephBrean) June 4, 2015
Bieber is here by video link, standing politely with his hands folded, wearing white dress shirt, in front of two dreary paintings.
— Joseph Brean (@JosephBrean) June 4, 2015
He had no criminal record anywhere at the time of his crimes, although evidently there have been subsequent events in LA.
— Joseph Brean (@JosephBrean) June 4, 2015
Assault conviction comes with a general victim surcharge. But his victim, a paparazzo, is twice his size and ably defended the blows.
— Joseph Brean (@JosephBrean) June 4, 2015
Assault conviction comes with a general victim surcharge. But his victim, a paparazzo, is twice his size and ably defended the blows.
— Joseph Brean (@JosephBrean) June 4, 2015
Story coming soon, with full details of the ATV crash and Bieber taking swings at the pap, at @nationalpost
— Joseph Brean (@JosephBrean) June 4, 2015
Offered the chance to comment, Bieber said “No ma’am”
— Joseph Brean (@JosephBrean) June 4, 2015
Bieber judge: “The lesson in all of this is to think before you act in the future.” Accepts plea deal sentence.
— Joseph Brean (@JosephBrean) June 4, 2015