Film star jailed over violation

Sizemore starred in Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down

Actor Tom Sizemore has been jailed for 17 months for violating his probation.

But Sizemore, 43, who played tough soldiers in both Saving Private Ryan and Black Hawk Down, was freed on $25,000 bail pending an appeal.

His original conviction stemmed from assaulting his ex-girlfriend, former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss.

Sizemore, who was ordered to enrol in a drug rehabilitation programme within three weeks, had repeatedly failed drug tests while on probation.

The actor failed seven drug tests, admitted methamphetamine use twice and failed to show up for further testing while on probation.

I assure your honour that I'm not acting now. I'm not acting, I'm begging, I'm beseeching you. I can't imagine my future without performing Tom Sizemore

Sizemore pleaded with the judge for leniency, saying he had broken his parents' hearts.

He said: "I'm engaged in a struggle right now to regain the better part of who I am...I never thought I had this disease.

"I assure your honour that I'm not acting now. I'm not acting, I'm begging, I'm beseeching you. I can't imagine my future without performing."