Since defendant did not seek to withdraw the plea at sentence, his present claim that the plea should be vacated in the interest of justice is not preserved (People v Pellegrino, 60 N.Y.2d 636). In any event, it is not necessary that a defendant admit guilt to enter a plea, provided the plea is informed and intelligent (North Carolina v Alford, 400 U.S. 25, 37; People v Friedman, 39 N.Y.2d 463, 466). Such was the case here, it being clear that defendant entered the plea in order to avoid conviction on a greater charge.
Concur — Milonas, J.P., Rosenberger, Ellerin and Rubin, JJ.