John Cusack’s stalker, Emily Leatherman, pleaded no contest to the felony count of stalking the 42-year-old actor. The plea is part of a deal that will save the woman from serving time in state prison.

The 33-year-old woman made the plea on Friday in Los Angeles. A judge sentenced Emily Leatherman to five years' probation and mandatory psychiatric counseling. The stalker was also ordered to keep away from Cusack, his home and businesses for the next decade.

The woman was put under arrest outside the actor’s home in Malibu in March. Leatherman had been served a restraining order to keep 150m away from the actor already in 2006. She has been in custody ever since she was arrested this year.

Cusack obtained a three-year restraining order against Leatherman in July 2006, stating that the woman had been stalking him for 18 months, frequently showing up at his house, throwing love letters over his fence and threatening to hurt herself if he did not respond.

On Friday, when making her no contest plea, Leatherman said that she was the victim of sex crimes and wanted to ask John Cusack’s help.

John Cusack wasn’t present in court on Friday, but a statement issued by the actor was read in court by the prosecution. The statement said that Cusack had never met the woman but hoped that she would receive proper psychiatric help.

Just a few days ago all things were pointing out that Leatherman would go to trial, but a Los Angeles Superior Court judge changed all that after learning that the woman did not willingly accept the bargain.