Actor Sizemore sentenced to jail

Actor Tom Sizemore has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for violating the terms of his probation in connection with a drugs charge.

He "abused the privilege of probation and needs to be in a lockdown setting," ruled Judge Cynthia Rayvis at Los Angeles' Superior Court.

Sizemore, whose screen credits include Saving Private Ryan, will be sent to a facility with a noted drug programme.

He was arrested last month on suspicion of drugs possession, which he denies.

'Fallen from stardom'

The actor's lawyer, Fay Arfa, said the sentence would not solve her client's problem, saying he had "literally fallen from stardom, sitting in a jail cell by himself". She added that his legal team intended to appeal.

Mr Sizemore must return to court on Tuesday for a hearing on whether he will receive credit for the time he has spent in residential drug treatment facilities.

The 45-year-old actor has been on probation since October 2004, when he was given a 16-month suspended jail sentence for possessing methamphetamine.

In February 2006, he admitted breaching that probation and was ordered to have weekly drug tests and attend a treatment clinic.

He has been in jail since his arrest last month, following the alleged discovery of methamphetamine in the actor's car in Bakersfield, north of Los Angeles.

Mr Sizemore was supported at the court hearing by actor Martin Sheen, star of US television drama The West Wing.

"I don't think prison is appropriate for anyone who is in the grip of drug and alcohol abuse," he said, but added that Mr Sizemore could be successful in a prison drug rehabilitation programme.

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