A former TV detective will have to make a $300 charitable donation and write a letter to a victim after being charged with assault.

Ex-Neighbours actor Scott McGregor was granted diversion in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday, keeping the charge out of the formal court system.

Diversion means he did not plead guilty to the charge and was not formally found guilty.

The program exists to give low-level offenders a chance to avoid a criminal record.

The 41-year-old had a charge of sexual assault over an incident at The Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda withdrawn, while a single charge of common assault proceeded.

Magistrate Simon Zebrowski refused to release details of the charge but described it as “one momentary very slight touch” and “a single non-sexual episode that was extraordinarily minor in the circumstances”.

He ordered McGregor write a letter of gratitude to the police officer who recommended his case be diverted from court, a letter of apology to the complainant and make a $300 donation to the charity of his choice.

If he complies by December the case will be struck out.

McGregor, who was supported in court by his wife and father-in-law, played Detective Mark Brennan in 940 episodes of Neighbours between 2010 and 2020.

– AAP