Rock star Marilyn Manson has been fined and ordered to do 20 hours of community service after saying no to blowing his nose at a camera operator during a concert.
The 54-year-old, whose real name is Brian Warner, appeared in court Monday and was charged with two misdemeanor counts of simple assault following the incident during a New Hampshire concert in 2019.
Manson pleaded no contest to the nose blowing charge, meaning he does not contest the charge but does not admit guilt.
The plea was part of a deal in which prosecutors agreed to dismiss the second charge against the musician, who alleged he spat on the camera operator.
Manson pleased no contest to thumb his nose at a videographer during a concert in 2019. Image: AP
He was fined just over $1,400 (£1,131) with $200 (£161) suspended and must remain arrest-free while also notifying local police of any New Hampshire appearance for two years.
During the New Hampshire concert, Manson approached the camera operator, Susan Fountain, put his face close to her camera and spat a “big lougee” at her, according to a police affidavit.
A police officer who reviewed the video footage said in the statement that Manson blew a “significant amount of mucus at Fountain” and that after the camera view changes, you can see Manson “pointing and laughing at Fountain as she gets down and walks away”.
Marilyn Manson leaves Belknap Superior Court on Monday. Picture: AP
Ms Fountain said in a statement that the incident was “the most disgusting thing a human being could have done”.
Manson initially pleaded not guilty to both charges in 2021, with the rock star’s lawyer arguing that the type of filming Ms Fountain did at the concert commonly exposes videographers to “incidental contact” with bodily fluids.
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He will serve his community service in California after the judge authorized it, and Manson told reporters that for the sentence he could choose to work with people in recovery.
The American rock star Marilyn Manson performs during a concert in Bogota. File image
The hit artist rose to fame as a musical sensation in the mid-1990s, and although he is best known for his hit albums, he has also been embroiled in public controversy.
Manson has faced several sexual assault allegations over the years, but most cases have been dismissed or settled, including one now settled suit brought by Game Of Thrones actress Esme Bianco in 2021.