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American Pie singer Don McLean admits domestic violence

Singer Don McLean
Singer Don McLean Singer Don McLean

American Pie singer Don McLean has admitted to domestic violence assault against his estranged wife, and will avoid a prison sentence.

The singer-songwriter's lawyer said the punishment will be a $3,000 (£2,300) fine with a year's probation.

McLean, of Camden, Maine, was arrested in January and initially pleaded not guilty.

A lawyer for Patrisha McLean said in March that his client was filing for divorce and that the legal papers cited "adultery, cruel and abusive treatment, and irreconcilable differences".

The two had been married for 30 years.

McLean's divorce lawyer denied those characterisations on the singer's behalf at the time.

McLean's original manuscript and notes to American Pie sold at auction last year for $1.2 million.