Despite reportedly punching a paparazzo outside a Malibu restaurant last month, Pierce Brosnan will not face charges, it has been confirmed.

The former 007 could have faced a misdemeanour battery charge for allegedly hitting photographer Robert Rosen outside Casa Escobar on October 26th, following a meal with his young son.

But Los Angeles prosecutors announced yesterday that no charges will be filed against the one-time Bond.

A statement from deputy district attorney James Garrison confirmed no charges would be brought against the 54-year-old actor.

“After a complete review of the investigation done by the Los Angeles county sheriff’s department… there is insufficient evidence to prove this case to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.

The photographer, an employee of picture agency Ability Films according to TMZ, claims to have approached Brosnan only to be verbally abused and punched in the ribs.

Eyewitnesses report the paparazzo retorted with a kick to the actor’s midsection before fleeing the scene.

Rosen later filed a report with the sheriff’s department, whose findings were presented to the Los Angeles county district attorney’s office prior to yesterday’s judgement.

Brosnan is currently shooting The Topkapi Affair, a sequel to his 1999 remake The Thomas Crown Affair, and will next appear in cinemas opposite Meryl Streep in July 2008’s movie adaptation of Mamma Mia!, the Abba-themed hit musical.

Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan is having trouble keeping up with co-star ColinFirth on the set of new musical Mamma Mia. The actor fears his moves aren’t up to scratch and is finding the film’s dance routines especially hard.

The Irish heart-throb confesses, “Colin’s a lot more nimble than me, it’s going to be a real battle. I’m just concentrating on getting it right.”