‘Moonstruck’ writer John Patrick Shanley: S&M suit battle

The Oscar-winning writer of “Moonstruck” accused in a civil lawsuit of carrying on a violent S&M-fueled sexual relationship with a young actress — and choking her to within inches of her life, is making a bid to dismiss the $5 million legal claim. Amanda Jencsik, 26, alleges in the suit that she had a dangerous, four-month tryst with writer John Patrick Shanley, 61, and that he would slap or “place his hands over the plaintiff’s mouth and neck to restrain her” during sexual intercourse at his East 18th Street apartment. In another incident, the suit says, Shanley — who also penned the Tony-winning play “Doubt” — looped his belt around her neck during sex “and pulled the belt, preventing [her] from breathing.” Lawyers for Shanley filed a motion to dismiss her suit, arguing that Jencsik willingly returned to him for further sexual encounters. A rep for her attorney Sal Strazzullo told us, “A motion to dismiss was argued in chambers a month ago, but no decision has yet issued by the judge. It is understood that Shanley’s attorneys hope to equate their client’s situation with the case against Oscar De La Hoya [filed by an escort who claimed he took advantage of her] that was dismissed by the same judge. Strazzullo’s rep said: “Our client is a student and an actress. She kept going back to Shanley’s house because he had control over her, he would brag about all the people he knew and how he could help her career. She looked up to him as a mentor and he continued to take advantage of her. She is continuing with her counselling and therapy.” An attorney for Shanley didn’t get back to us.