Russell Brand avoids jail for iPhone smash

Comedian and actor Russell Brand was ordered to pay $500 in court fees and perform 20 hours of community service in New Orleans on Thursday (July 26) over an incident in which he allegedly threw a paparazzo's Phone through a window in March.

According to Reuters, Brand, who wasn't present in the New Orleans Municipal Court, cut a deal with prosecutors after his attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Police arrested Brand on March 15 after a photographer accused the actor of grabbing his phone and tossing it through a law office's window. Brand was charged with misdemeanor criminal damage to property and released. If convicted, Brand could have faced up to six months in jail.