Paris 'ready to face punishment'

Paris Hilton has been ordered to start her jail sentence next month

Celebrity heiress Paris Hilton has said she is "ready to face the consequences" for violating her probation.

Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in jail after breaking her probation for a drink-driving conviction.

The 26-year-old recently backed an online petition that was campaigning for a pardon from the prison sentence.

In a statement released by her new lawyer, she said: "I do not expect to be treated better than anyone else who violated probation."

She added: "However, my hope is that I will not be treated worse."

'Misperceptions'

The star of reality TV show The Simple Life said she released the statement to put a few things right in the public eye.

"After reading the media's coverage of my court hearing I feel the need to correct what I believe are misperceptions about me," she said.

"I absolutely realise how serious driving under the influence is. I could not live with myself if anyone was injured or killed while I was driving while impaired.

"Clearly, no-one should - no matter how slightly."

An artist has created a nude sculpture of Paris Hilton

A Los Angeles judge told Hilton she must start her sentence on 5 June.

In court, she apologised to the judge and vowed she would start to "pay complete attention to everything" from now on.

Meanwhile, a sculpture of Hilton created by artist Daniel Edwards will be unveiled at the Capla Kesting Fine Art gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

It depicts a naked and lifeless Ms Hilton who is sprawled out, clutching a cocktail glass in one hand and a mobile phone in the other. Her dog, Tinkerbell, has jumped across her bare chest.

The artist said the artwork was created to warn teenagers of the dangers of drinking and getting behind the wheel of the car.

"Around this time of year, I think of a couple of friends I lost in high school because of drinking and driving," he said.