John Cusack stalker gets 5 years probation

John Cusack stalker gets 5 years probationLos Angeles  - A woman charged with stalking Hollywood star John Cusack, 42, was handed a 5-year probation sentence after she accepted a plea deal.

Emily Leatherman, 33, pleaded no contest, thereby avoiding going to jail if found guilty of two charges of petty theft and disobeying a restraining order, the KTLA television channel reported.

In addition the woman has to undergo psychiatric treatment and keep her distance from the actor for at least 10 years, a judge ruled.

Cusack, who did not have to appear in court, had a statement read out by the prosecution saying that he never personally met Leatherman. He hoped that she would receive good treatment, the statement said.

The stalker had been arrested in March in front of Cusack's house in Malibu. She had been served a restraining order to keep 150 metres away from Cusack already in 2006. (dpa)