Oksana Grigorieva believed Mel Gibson ‘would change’

London: Mel Gibson`s ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva has confessed she stayed with actor for so long despite an abusive relationship because of her belief that the star "would change".

The former lovers are currently locked in a bitter and highly-publicised court battle as they fight for custody of their young daughter, Lucia. In the papers, filed in June (10), Grigorieva explained why she didn`t apply for a restraining order against Gibson earlier - insisting she wanted to keep the details private to avoid embarrassing the actor. She also claims she "begged" Gibson to seek professional help for his problems and was convinced he would change. "I stayed in this abusive relationship for much longer than I should have due to Petitioner``s (Gibson``s) threats and intimidation, as well as an obviously misplaced belief that Petitioner would change. I begged Petitioner to get help. “I desperately wanted him to get better, but I understand that I cannot live in fear with his unpredictable and unstable personality any more... I am terrified of Petitioner... I believe Petitioner is chemically imbalanced and dangerous. I fear Petitioner now more than ever," the Daily Express quoted her as writing. ANI