Justin Bieber's Bodyguard Off the Hook for Alleged Assault of Paparazzo

Authorities say they don't have enough evidence singer's security man deliberately wanted to hurt a photographer trying to snap his photo last fall

Justin Bieber's bodyguard is in the clear.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has formally dismissed misdemeanor assault charges against Kenneth Hamilton after an investigation revealed he was just trying to protect the popster when he allegedly shoved an overly aggressive photographer in front of the city's London Hotel last November.

Note to paps: It's Justin's world, you just shoot it.

In announcing their decision, Prosecutors told the court they opted not to move forward with one count of assault in the third degree after police determined that the "slight physical contact" between Hamilton and celebrity shutterbug Jason Nicholas was chiefly the result of the security man "trying to protect another person," i.e., Bieber.

The incident occurred after the 17-year-old crooner found himself swarmed by fans and photographers on his way to a book signing.

Consequently, authorities concluded they didn't have enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the 29-year-old Hamilton had intentionally set out to injure photog Nicholas as the latter claimed afterward, saying he suffered back pain after being pushed hard against Justin's SUV.

Nicholas had tried to snap a photo of Bieber when the altercation ensued. Instead, the shooter wound up in a nearby hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. After Nicholas filed a complaint, officers took Hamilton into custody three months later.

Reacting to today's dismissal, the 41-year-old Nicholas tells E! News he sees it as "regrettably, another example of [the D.A.'s] favored treatment of the rich and powerful, as well as its disconnect from reality."

According to the New York Daily News, Nicholas is no stranger to the law, having served 13 years in prison on a manslaughter conviction and having a few other arrests under his belt for being overly confrontational in his line of work. For instance, the photog is currently facing separate charges for allegedly assaulting and harassing a woman as well as jumping in front of former congressman Anthony Weiner's car last June to get a picture.

Nicholas believes his past hasn't done him any favors with the D.A., noting this is "the third time the office has declined to prosecute a case in which I was the victim." He cited a prior incident in which he claimed he interrupted an off-duty cop beating his girlfriend on a city street and the officer pointed a gun at him and threatened his life.

"As to the pending cases, I look forward to my day in court and am confident of complete exoneration," said the photographer.

- Additional Reporting by Marianne Garvey