Kiefer Sutherland saved the seventh season of 24 by striking a deal with prosecutors over his drink driving jail sentence - and TV network Fox is thrilled.

On Tuesday (09Oct07) a Los Angeles court sentenced Sutherland to 48 days in jail after he pleaded no contest to driving under the influence while on probation for an earlier DUI offence.

He hopes to serve the 18 days on 21 December (07) and the final 30 days next summer (01Jul08) to save Fox from altering the hit show's tight shooting schedule.

A Fox spokesperson says, "Kiefer made clear to us at the time of his arrest that his first concern was the welfare of those he worked with and that he intended to do whatever was necessary to prevent shutting down the show.

"He told us that even if he had to sacrifice more time in custody in order to protect the show and the jobs of those who work with him, he would do so.

"From what occurred today, it is evident he is a man of his word."

The hell raising actor, 40, was charged after police witnessed him making an illegal U-turn in Los Angeles last month (25Sep07).

A breath test allegedly found him to have twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system.

Sutherland pleaded no contest to the charges on Tuesday (09Oct07) - and will be jailed for 48 days during breaks in filming for the hit TV show.

Court records state he will spend 30 days in jail for driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit, and 18 days for violating his probation - relating to a previous DUI conviction in December 2004.

He hopes to serve the 18 days on 21 December (07) and the final 30 days next summer (01Jul08).

He also received a six-month driving ban and must attend alcohol education classes for 18 months and weekly alcohol therapy sessions for six months.

 

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