Quebec rock star Éric Lapointe has been sentenced to one year of probation for assaulting a woman nearly 13 months ago.
Lapointe, 51, pleaded guilty on Oct. 8 – only 19 days before his trial was scheduled to begin. He apologized for the assault and told Judge Steeve Larivière that he had donated $3,000 to a charity for abused women.
Larivière on Tuesday said Lapointe will receive a conditional discharge – meaning he will have no criminal record – if he successful completes the terms of his probation, including attending therapy.
Lapointe admitted to being drunk when he put his hand on the woman’s neck while leaning her against a pantry in his home. The victim, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, called 911 but told police she did not fear Lapointe.
One of Quebec’s most successful male music artists, Lapointe has released eight studio albums and opened for The Rolling Stones at a pair of concerts in Paris in 1995.
Lapointe was a coach on La Voix, the French Canadian version of The Voice, for six seasons.