Sam Worthington cleared of paparazzi assault

Sam Worthington has been cleared of assault following a scuffle with a paparazzi on February 23. The 'Avatar' actor has avoided being thrown behind bars after he quietly entered into a conditional dismissal deal on April 8 at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York. The 37-year-old star was not present at court but his lawyer Stacey Richman took the non-jail deal on his behalf.READ: Sam Worthington slapped with restraining orderSam's case had been advanced from its original date of May 8 and the press was not present at the proceeding.The hunky star submitted a waiver to the court explaining he was ''contractually committed'' to work in Europe at this time and thanked the judge for working with his schedule.He wrote in a statement: ''I understand that as long as I continue to lead a law abiding life, this matter will be dismissed and sealed.'' Sam was arrested earlier this year after he and his girlfriend Lara Bingle got into a scrap with a camera-wielding snapper in Greenwich Village, New York City.The actor reportedly punched the photographer multiple times in the face after Lara claimed he kicked her shin.Sam was charged with third-degree assault, third-degree attempted assault and second-degree harassment.The photographer, named Sheng Li, was also arrested and booked for reckless endangerment, assault and harassment.Sam previously got into an altercation with a photographer in 2012, when he was arrested and pepper sprayed following an argument outside a restaurant in Atlanta.WATCH: Sam Worthington Gets Restraining Order and Assault Charges After Assault Arrest