Hayden Panettiere’s ex sentenced to 45 days in jail in domestic violence case

Hayden Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson has been sentenced to 45 days in jail for injuring the actress.

On Tuesday, Hickerson, 31, pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse/cohabitant/girlfriend/child’s parent, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office confirmed.

Hickerson 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 (£358) in restitution and a five-year protective order.

Hickerson was arrested last July on multiple felony charges, including four charges of corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant, two charges of assault with a deadly weapon, and one of intimidating a witness, and also faced a misdemeanour charge of battery on a spouse/cohabitant.

The remainder of the charges were dropped during his sentencing on Tuesday.

The charges against Hickerson stemmed from alleged incidents from May 2019 to January 2020.

After her ex’s arrest, Heroes star Panettiere, 31, said: ‘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.

‘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 said in a 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 recognises that her arduous journey of healing has just begun.’

Panettiere began dating Hickerson in 2018, after her split from Wladimir Klitschko after an on-off five year relationship.

The Nashville star shares a six-year-old daughter Kaya with her ex-fiancé Klitschko, who lives in Ukraine with the former professional boxer.

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