@ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org The news the following morning had to be careful not to repeat the man's statement in case the allegation was not true. In that case repeating the statement would be defamation. The assailant pled guilty and was sure to lay out the entire thing in his sentencing plea (usually a poor idea, as it risks a higher sentence). Being part of a court proceeding if that was reported accurately then it could not be defamation. Needless to say, every media outlet in town reported it. The 'no conviction recorded' by the court stated their view. The fine of $1000 was mostly procedural, a penalty for not pleading guilty earlier.