Justin Bieber pleads guilty to assaulting paparazzo in Canada

Often-in-trouble heartthrob Justin Bieber has pleaded guilty to assaulting a photographer and reckless driving in Canada — and was fined $750 (£490) as part of his plea deal. He faces no jail time or probation.

The crimes occurred last summer near the Canadian singer's hometown of Stratford, Ontario, when Bieber and girlfriend Selena Gomez were on an ATV that collided with a minivan. Bieber then punched a paparazzo snapping photos of the scene, according to police.

His lawyer had said Bieber became emotional because he was on a "peaceful retreat'' that was disrupted by paparazzi, reports the Canadian Press.

Asked if he had any comment in court Thursday, Bieber responded to the judge: "No Ma'am."

The Biebs is racking up a string of clashes with the law. Assault charges in Toronto linked to a confrontation with a limousine driver last year were dropped, but the driver has filed a lawsuit against Bieber.

String of offences

The singer made another plea deal last year in a different criminal case for participating in what appeared to be an illegal drag race in Miami, Florida. He pleaded guilty to careless driving and resisting arrest without violence to avoid a more serious charge of driving under the influence. His penalty in that case? He had to make a charitable donation of $50,000 (£33,000) and take an anger management class.

He also pleaded no contest last year to vandalism charges for egging his neighbor's California house, and had to pay $80,000 (£52,000) in damages.

An Argentina judge has also ordered Bieber's "immediate detention" if and when he enters the country because of a beating of a photographer two years ago allegedly by Bieber's bodyguards that authorities say the singer ordered, reports the Hamilton Spectator.