Sutherland sentenced to 48 days in jail

Kiefer Sutherland has been sentenced to 48 days in jail after he entered a 'no contest' plea for charges of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The 24 star was arrested last month after police stopped him for making an illegal U-turn and gave him a breathalyser test, finding him to be twice over the legal limit.

Sutherland must serve the 48 days in full, but he has struck a deal with the Los Angeles judge that he can serve the time in between his filming schedule for the hit US show.

He has also been banned from driving for six months and was ordered to attend alcohol education classes for the next eighteen months.

The actor was not present at the court but his lawyer, Blair Berk, said that he apologised for his "poor judgement" and for the "distress that he had caused his family, friends and co-workers".