Brad Pitt 'prankster' Vitalii Sediuk gets restraining order

A Ukrainian TV prankster who allegedly hit Brad Pitt at a red carpet film premiere has been handed a restraining order to keep him away from the star.

Vitalii Sediuk was arrested and held on $20,000 (£12,000) bail after Pitt was struck at the premiere of Angelina Jolie's film Maleficent on Wednesday.

Pitt's legal team requested the emergency five-day restraining order, Los Angeles Police told Reuters.

Mr Sediuk is known for pranking stars like America Ferrera and Will Smith.

He worked for Ukrainian TV station 1+1 until being fired several weeks ago.

Vitalii Sediuk was led away in handcuffs at Maleficent premiere

Mr Sediuk was reportedly seen jumping over a barrier, hugging and then striking the star, knocking off his sunglasses.

The 25-year-old was wrestled to the floor by bodyguards before being led away in handcuffs. Pitt was unhurt.

The restraining order could be extended for a month if the actor petitions a civil judge, Los Angeles Police Sgt Albert Gonzalez told the Associated Press (AP).

Mr Sediuk's, attorney, Anthony Willoughby, told AP he had not yet spoken to his client. "He's not a violent individual," Mr Willoughby said. "He's an easygoing young man."

Publicist Christa Scherck, who worked with Mr Sediuk for the past two years, told AP she was severing ties with him and was never aware of his prank plans.

"This goes beyond pranking," she said. "This is no longer entertaining."

Mr Sediuk has a history of red carpet stunts. He recently hit headlines after he crawled under the skirt of Ugly Betty actress America Ferrera at the Cannes Film Festival.

At the Screen Actors Guild Awards in January, he was seen on his knees hugging Bradley Cooper's crotch - a move he had also pulled on Leonardo DiCaprio at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in February.

Last year, he was arrested after running up to attempt to accept Adele's Grammy Award for best pop solo performance before the singer reached the stairs. He pleaded no contest to trespassing and was put on probation.

In 2012, Mr Sediuk also received a slap on the face from actor Will Smith after he tried to kiss him on the lips on the Men In Black 3 red carpet in Moscow.

Sediuk forced a hug on Bradley Cooper at the SAG Awards