Photo: Teton County Sheriff’s Office
Hayden Panettiere’s ex-boyfriendBrian Hickersonhas been sentenced to 45 days in jail.
Hickerson pleaded no contest on Tuesday to two felony counts of injuring a spouse/cohabitant/girlfriend/child’s parent, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office confirms to PEOPLE. The 31-year-old must begin serving his sentence on May 7.
In addition to jail time, Hickerson was sentenced to four years of formal probation, 52 domestic violence classes, $500 in restitution and a five-year protective order.
The remainder of his charges were dropped during Tuesday’s sentencing.
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The eight charges against Panettiere’s ex stemmed from allegedly abusive incidents from May 2019 to January 2020.
He pleaded not guilty toone count of felony domestic violencelater that month; the case was dismissed at the end of September 2019. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said at the time, “Our office was unable to proceed because we could not secure a material witness.”
Hickersonreportedly pleaded not guiltyto the charge in April of that year.
Hayden Panettiere.Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic
“I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve,” she said. “I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life.”
Her attorney Alan Jackson issued the following statement: “After suffering for years as the victim of psychological, emotional and severe physical abuse, Hayden Panettiere has begun the process of taking back her life. Hayden has found the strength and courage to share the truth about her abuse and her abuser, and she intends to assist the prosecution to see that justice is served. As a survivor, she recognizes that her arduous journey of healing has just begun.”
Panettiere and Hickerson started dating after reports circulated that she and then-fiancéWladimir Klitschkohadsplitin August 2018. Panettiere and Klitschko, 45, share daughterKaya, 6.
Last month,a source told PEOPLEthat Panettiere is in a “wonderful headspace” and looking forward to all that’s to come.
“Things are so much better and she’s really excited about her future. She’s got a few projects in the works,” said the source, who added that she’s “spending time with her daughter.”
“She has an amazing relationship with Wlad. Things are going really well,” the source said.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
