Kiefer Sutherland charged with assault in head-butt claim by designer

Kiefer Sutherland charged over head-butt claim

NEW YORK — Kiefer Sutherland has been charged with assault for allegedly head-butting a fashion designer at a Manhattan nightclub.

New York police said the charges were filed after Sutherland spoke to investigators at a police station in lower Manhattan on Thursday.

The star of Fox television’s “24″ reported to the precinct house in a Lincoln Town Car alongside his lawyers, but he did not speak to reporters.

The designer, Jack McCollough, claims Sutherland attacked him after an argument, leaving him with a cut on his face.

It’s unclear whether the charges will affect his probation status for a drunken-driving conviction in Los Angeles that sent him to jail for 48 days last year.

Associated Press writer Anthony McCartney in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEW YORK (AP) — Kiefer Sutherland arrived at a New York City police precinct on Thursday for questioning about a fashion designer’s claim that the actor head-butted him at a Manhattan nightclub.

The star of Fox television’s “24″ could be charged with misdemeanor assault in a case that could create another major legal hassle for Sutherland, who served 48 days in jail on a drunken driving charge in California last year.

Sutherland showed up at a precinct in lower Manhattan in a Lincoln Town Car alongside his lawyers, but did not speak to reporters.

The designer, Jack McCollough, claims Sutherland attacked him after an argument, leaving him with a cut on his face. Detectives also may question actress Brooke Shields as a witness because she was at the trendy SoHo nightspot where the altercation took place.

Los Angeles city prosecutors plan to check with New York investigators to see if the incident is a violation of Sutherland’s probation for a drunken-driving conviction, said Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the Los Angeles City Attorney.

Sutherland had pleaded no contest to driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. He was sentenced to 30 days, in addition to 18 days for violating probation in a 2004 drunken-driving arrest.

Associated Press Writer Anthony McCartney contributed to this report from Los Angeles.