CAMERON DIAZ - DIAZ AWARDED DAMAGES IN PHOTOGRAPHER BATTLE

Hollywood beauty CAMERON DIAZ is celebrating after winning statutory damages in her long legal battle with imprisoned photographer JOHN RUTTER, who attempted to sell illegal topless photos of the actress. The THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY star sued Rutter in 2004 over images - both moving and still - of Diaz taken over 10 years ago, before she hit the Hollywood a-list after starring in THE MASK. According to court papers, Rutter attempted to sell the images back to Diaz for $3.3 million (GBP1.9 million) and when she refused, he threatened to sell them to a European advertising firm for $5 million (GBP2.9 million). In response, Rutter filed a $10 million (GBP5.8 million) suit against Diaz, claiming she expressed an interest in purchasing the shots and lured him into a trap. Rutter was promptly arrested and was imprisoned following his conviction of felony charges of forgery, perjury and attempted grand larceny. Diaz's publicist BRAD CAFARELLI has confirmed the actress was awarded damages by a Los Angeles judge last month (MAR06). The judge has ruled the sexy images will never been seen, after granting a permanent injunction on any sale, license or use of the shots and video.