Mel Gibson avoids charges over photographer's physical assault claim

SYDNEY, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Australian authorities will not charge Mel Gibson over a photographer's claim the actor allegedly physically assaulted her.

In a statement, police say they found insufficient evidence to charge Gibson over the alleged attack. The actor's lawyer was notified of the decision Thursday, BBC reports.

Gibson is said to be "satisfied" nothing was found to support the photographer's allegation.

In late August, Daily Telegraph photographer Kristi Miller reported to police her altercation with the actor, 59, while she was photographing him and his new girlfriend, Rosalind Ross, 24. The couple were pictured leaving a social gathering surrounding a screening of Matti Caspi -- Confession during the Isreali Film Festival.

According to Miller, Gibson spat in her face as he hurled insults at her. "He swore and called me a [expletive]," she told her publication. "It was nonstop; he didn't even breathe."

Miller alleged Gibson "shoved" her while her back was turned, and claimed she feared "he was going to punch [her] in the face." Ross, 24, is said to have intervened and apologized before leading the actor away, and the incident was subsequently reported to police.

"Basically Mr. Gibson and his friend were being harassed by this photographer and he asked her repeatedly to stop, which she did not," the star's rep said in a statement. "There was never any physical contact whatsoever and the story being told by her is a complete fabrication of the truth."