Marston Hefner Pleads No Contest to Pasadena Fracas

21-year-old Pasadena resident Marston Hefner, son of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, pleaded no contest in court Tuesday to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge against his Playmate girlfriend Claire Sinclair, 20, after a violent fracas at their Pasadena apartment last month, February 12, 2012.

Hefner was sentenced to a 52-week domestic violence counseling program. He was also ordered to stay away from Sinclair over the next three years while giving periodic progress reports with the court.

Hefner was arrested last month at the Pasadena apartment he shared with Sinclair after authorities were alerted to a violent disturbance. Hefner was accused of one count of battery on a spouse or cohabitant and a count of vandalizing Sinclair’s laptop.

Assistant Pasadena City Prosecutor Chris Blankenhorn in an interview with the New York Daily News said that Marston can withdraw his plea after three years, similar to an expungement contingent on him obeying all laws and court conditions.

The vandalism charges however were dismissed “…with a waiver he’ll pay restitution for replacing that,” Blankenhorn added.

Sinclair, who was also 2011 Playmate of the Year, sustained minor injuries and released a photo of her bruising on celebrity website TMZ shortly after the reported attack.

“I don’t condone domestic violence, but if one ounce of good can come from this bad experience then I can live with it and move on,” said Sinclair to TMZ.

Hugh Hefner, on the other hand, was reported to have commented on the matter as well, saying that “If they care about each other, they’ll patch it up.”