KIEFER SUTHERLAND - 24 STAR SUTHERLAND COULD FACE JAIL OVER HEAD BUTT

24 STAR SUTHERLAND COULD FACE JAIL OVER HEAD BUTT

Kiefer Sutherland may have violated the terms of his probation agreement after allegedly head butting a fashion designer at a New York City party.

The 24 star is serving a five-year probation term in Los Angeles over a second drink-driving conviction and could have jeopardised his freedom after an incident at a Manhattan fashion gathering.

The actor is said to have head butted designer Jack McCollough with conflicting reports suggesting the designer may have provoked Sutherland by bumping into fellow guest Brooke Shields.

The New York Daily News claims McCollough - a friend of Shields - interrupted Shields and Sutherland and was then head butted by the Monsters vs Aliens star.

Though Sutherland is only likely to receive a minor assault charge, a more severe approach by Los Angeles authorities could see the 42-year-old facing a prison sentence.

"If Sutherland's found in violation of probation for battery, and if he was intoxicated at the time, he could very well be sentenced to another 48 days or more," attorney Steve Sitkoff - who is not involved with the case - told People.

According to the New York Daily News, however, such an outcome is unlikely, with a police source quoted as saying Sutherland will receive a desk appearance for the misdemeanour, with no jail term and no restrictions on travel before his arraignment.

Sutherland previously served 48 days in jail between December 2007 and January 2008 after being arrested in September 2007 on misdemeanour drink-driving charges.