Mel Gibson has avoided a jail sentence by pleading no contest to the charge of drunk driving after his recent debacle.

The Signs actor has been sentenced to three years' probation and ordered to spend a year attending Alcoholics Anonymous. He must also pay £850 in fines and fees.

According to the New York Times, Judge Lawrence J. Mira took into consideration the fact that the star was willing to make a public service message to warn against driving while impaired.

Judge Mira also said the 50-year-old had “already engaged in an extensive amount of rehabilitation". At one point he was also overheard telling both the public prosecutor and Gibson's lawyer: “If he’s struggling, I’m going to help him with his struggle. It’s that simple.”

Gibson was not present in court.