(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Mel Gibson entered a plea of no contest to a charge of simple battery.

The actor pleaded no contest to the charge of misdemeanor battery of his former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva in a deal that allowed him to avoid jail time yesterday.

Mel's entered a West Plea, which means he is allowed to maintain his innocence. Under the plea agreement, Mel will do no jail time but he must perform 16 hours of community service with a philanthropic organization, Mending Kids, and undergo 52 weeks of counselling. Even though the 55-year-old star has been seeing a counsellor since January, the hours will not get credit for the accrued time.

Mel is required to have only "peaceful contact" with Oksana. He was placed on 36 months informal probation, which permits him from using violence towards anyone. He was also hit with a protective order that gives Oksana the right to record their calls.

Mel's lawyer, Blair Berk, told the judge her client entered the plea in the interests of his children, so they wouldn't have to endure a one-year legal fight, according to TMZ.

Mel has a 12-month-old daughter Lucia with the Russian singer, and seven children from his relationship with Robyn Moore Gibson.

Oksana and Mel split earlier this year after she alleged the Hollywood star become unreasonably angry with her during an argument in January. She claimed he punched her in the face, breaking her teeth. A number of recordings of the incident made by Oksana have been leaked online, and apparently show Mel using violent, racist and abusive language towards her. She has previously admitted being terrified of the star during the incident, and was convinced he would kill her. (C) Cover Media