Paris Hilton goes down for 23 days

Paris Hilton yesterday began her 23 day sentence for violating probation on a drink-drive rap, the BBC reports.

The highly-talented "heiress-turned-pop singer" presented herself at Century Regional Detention Centre in Lynwood, California, shortly after bidding a temporary farewell to her public at the MTV Movie Awards. She admitted to reporters: "I'm definitely scared, but I'm ready to face my sentence," adding: "Even though this is a really hard time, I have my family, my friends and my fans to support me, and that's really helpful."

Hilton said she'd been offered the chance to go to a "pay jail", but had declined. She said: "I'm going to do the time and I am going to do it the right way. I'm using it in a positive way and when I come out, I can't wait to start my new life and be even stronger than I am now."

Hilton will spend her time at Lynwood separated from most of the other inmates in a special block reserved for "celebrities, public officials, police officers, and other high-profile inmates". When she's not blowing forlornly on a harmonica, she'll be allowed "at least an hour out of her cell each day to shower, watch TV, take part in outdoor recreation, or use the phone". ®