clan for a year after allegedly running Victoria Kennedy off the road so his photographer could get a better picture.

Martin Gould, 42, an English reporter for The Star tabloid newspaper who worked for The Royal Gazette during the 1980s, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Police said he tried to run Mrs. Kennedy off the road in April in Hingham, Massachusettes.

Judge Paul Moriarty said if Mr. Gould stayed away from the Kennedys for one year, the charges would be dropped.

Photographers staked out the Kennedy home on April 29 after authorities began probing allegations that Michael Kennedy -- Mrs. Kennedy's husband and a son of Robert Kennedy -- had an affair with the family babysitter. No charges were ever filed.

Mr. Kennedy was killed in a skiing accident in Aspen, Colorado yesterday.

Story: Page 9 The supermarket tabloid was doing a story about her separation from her husband over the alleged affair.

However the Norfolk County District Attorney later declined to prosecute Michael Kennedy because the girl -- now a college student -- refused to cooperate.

Mr. Gould, who admitted no guilt in the case, maintained that he was only doing his job the day he staked out Mrs. Kennedy at her home. He and his photographer followed her as she left one morning in a Ford Explorer with her three young children and sister-in-law Rory Kennedy.

Mrs. Kennedy stopped to seek help from two landscapers. Mr. Gould's car bumped one of the men, who rolled onto the car's hood, and the other man jumped out of the way.

Mrs. Kennedy then stopped at the Hingham Police station, and officers pursued the car.

He said: "Obviously I am glad it is all over. It has been hanging over me since April. Now I can get on with the New Year.

"I am not terribly happy that I had to pay the money ($1,400 in court costs and fines) but that is the way the American justice system works.

"Will it affect the way I do my job in the future? No. You have to do your job as you see it.'' The judge continued without a finding, five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon; one charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and operating a motor vehicle negligently to endanger.

Two charges of assault with a dangerous weapon were dismissed. Police had accused Mr. Gould of endangering Mrs. Kennedy, her children and sister-in-law as well as the three landscapers who came to their aid.

Mr. Gould was found guilty of failing to stop for a Police officer while operating a motor vehicle.

He was ordered to pay $1,200 in court costs, a $100 fine, $120 to the victim witness fund and $50 for speeding.

JOURNALIST NEWSPAPER NJ