Brad Pitt attacker Vitalii Sediuk sentenced to three years probation and a year of psychological counselling after punching actor

The serial red carpet prankster is given his verdict

Ella Alexander
Monday 02 June 2014 17:34 BST
Comments

The Ukrainian television presenter who attacked Brad Pitt at the Los Angeles premiere of Maleficent last week has been sentenced to three years probation and instructed to attend a year's psychological counselling.

Vitalii Sediuk lunged at Pitt and punched him in the face, breaking his designer sunglasses. The 50-year-old actor was not seriously hurt.

He has since pleaded no contest to battery and unlawful activity charges. He was also ordered to stay 500 yards (457 metres) away from all celebrity events, including awards and premieres.

He has been banned from being near Pitt and his partner, Angelina Jolie, who was also present at the incident on Wednesday 28 May. His sentencing included 20 days of community service during his 36-month probation.

Sediuk was charged with four counts of battery, assault, unlawful activity and interference at a theatrical event, although two of the charges were dismissed as part of his plea deal.

He is due back in court on 8 July to prove his enrolment in a counselling program.

Vitalii Sediuk appears at Los Angeles Superior Court House

Sediuk was reportedly fired from his presenting role for Ukrainian television channel 1+1 on 17 May, after he dived under America Ferrera’s dress on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet.

Earlier last month, he attempted to gatecrash the Met Ball Gala – wearing a skimpy pink mankini and a gold necklace. Security prevented him from making in inside the venue.

In January at the SAG Awards, he hugged Bradley Cooper round the waist, with his face pushed into the actor’s crotch. He tried a similar move on Leonardo DiCaprio at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in February.

At the 2013 Grammys, he was arrested after crashing the stage before Adele was about to collect her award from Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez.

In 2012, Will Smith slapped the reporter in the face after he tried to kiss on the lips as the Men in Black 3 premiere.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in