Brand escapes paparazzi charges

Charges against Russell Brand are unlikely over a fight with a photographer at Los Angeles International Airport.

The 35-year-old actor and comedian met prosecutors and they decided not to pursue charges.

Brand was arrested at the airport in September while travelling with singer Katy Perry, and had been facing a potential charge of battery. The incident was captured on video as Brand and Perry were swarmed by paparazzi as they entered a terminal. On the film, Brand is seen swatting at a photographer and hitting his camera.

Lavish

Brand and Perry (26) married in a lavish ceremony in India last month.

Mr Mateljan said a prosecutor would meet the photographer later today. He had placed Brand under a citizen's arrest.

Mr Mateljan said that, while the office could still file a case against Brand, "it doesn't seem likely".

Brand was a relative unknown in the United States until he hosted the MTV Video Music Awards in 2008.

He has since reprised that gig, and he appeared in the film Get Him To The Greek last summer. He is scheduled to play the title character in a remake of Arthur.

Brand's profile has also been raised by his relationship with Perry, who has several hits including I Kissed A Girl and California Gurls.

LAX has been the site of several dust-ups between celebrities and the paparazzi.

City prosecutors charged Kanye West with battery, vandalism and grand theft for breaking a photographer's flash in September 2008, but the case was later dismissed after the rapper reached a civil settlement and attended anger management classes.

hnews@herald.ie