PAUL REUBENS - REUBENS EXPLAINS PLEA AGREEMENT

Troubled actor PAUL REUBENS settled for a plea agreement in his child pornography case - because he feared a MARTHA STEWART-style court scandal.

The PEE-WEE HERMAN star was arrested in 2002 after police discovered child porn items during a raid on his Hollywood home, but the charges against him have since been dropped.

Instead of having to go to trial, Reubens opted to take a plea agreement which means he'll be a registered sex offender for the next three years.

Reubens explains, "It could be argued that it's worse to have a trial. We just got to watch Martha Stewart and the country's glee at her downfall.

"I've been in a scandal before and I don't want to give the public that opportunity again - to kick me while I'm down."