Entertainment

Justin Bieber dangerous driving, assault case in Ontario court today

Justin Bieber's dangerous driving and assault case is due before a Stratford, Ont., court today, but the Canadian pop star isn't expected to appear.

Charges stem from incident last month near star's hometown of Stratford

Canadian singer Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez appear to be on an ATV in these photos published by TMZ in August. Bieber faces charges following a crash between an ATV and a minivan near his dad's home in Stratford, Ont. (PacificCoastNews.com)

Justin Bieber's dangerous driving and assault case is due before a Stratford, Ont. court Monday, but the Canadian pop star isn't expected to appear.

The charges stem from a collision last month between an ATV and a minivan on a country road near the home of Bieber's father. 

Police wouldn’t say whether Bieber was driving the ATV, but pictures posted by TMZ show the 20-year-old and on-again, off-again girlfriend Selena Gomez riding the 4-wheeler. Bieber's lawyer, Brian H. Greenspan, blamed the incident on the "unwelcome presence of paparazzi."

Monday's hearing is the latest in a long string of legal troubles for the young celebrity:

  • Earlier this month, the Crown dropped an assault charge against Bieber that was filed in connection with an alleged attack on a Toronto limousine driver. 
  • In July, Bieber pleaded no contest to misdemeanour vandalismand had to pay $80,900 in restitution to a neighbour whose house was egged in Calabasas, Calif. He was sentenced to probation of two years.
  • Last month, a case was resolved in Florida, where Bieber had initially been accused of street racing. He pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was required to take an anger management course, make a $50,000 charitable contribution and pay court fees.
  • Reports emerged this summer alleging Bieber had been involved in an altercation with actor Orlando Bloom at a restaurant in Ibiza, Spain.

With files from The Canadian Press