Actor Sizemore jailed for attacks

Sizemore had earlier been convicted of domestic violence

Actor Tom Sizemore has been sentenced to six months in prison for beating up his former girlfriend Heidi Fleiss.

The Saving Private Ryan actor has been ordered to complete a drug rehabilitation programme before beginning his jail term in January.

He was also given three years' probation and ordered to undergo anger management counselling.

Sizemore, 41, was convicted in August of domestic violence, making criminal threats and harassing Ms Fleiss.

He had a stormy one-year relationship with the former Hollywood madam, who was herself jailed for running a call-girl ring for Hollywood's rich and famous during the 1990s.

He was convicted of hitting Ms Fleiss in the jaw during a brawl at a posh Beverly Hills hotel.

In recent months, I have permitted my personal demons to take over my life Tom Sizemore

She testified at the trial that he had also stubbed a cigarette out on her and once knocked her to the ground outside his home. He later terrified her by making more than 70 obscenity-laced phone calls.

Sizemore, who denied the charges but did not testify at the trial, said in a letter to the judge that he was "very chastened by the trial and my convictions".

He wrote: "In recent months, I have permitted my personal demons to take over my life. I do not want to make excuses but I am convinced that if I had not been under the influence of drugs, I would have controlled my behaviour."

Sizemore - also known for his part in the film Black Hawk Down - has admitted an addiction to crystal methamphetamine.

Ms Fleiss said in a statement that she "loved that man and I was very good to him and what he did to me was wrong. I want to pretend I never met him."