Paris Hilton put on probation over cocaine after deal with prosecutors

She avoided a more serious felony charge that could have seen her jailed for up to four years under a deal worked out with prosecutors that saw her plead guilty to drug possession and obstructing a police officer.

If she breaks the terms of her probation and is arrested for anything other than a minor traffic offence she will serve a year in prison. The celebrity heiress must also complete a drug abuse program, pay a $2,000 fine (1,333) and serve 200 hours of community service.

Hilton told Judge Joseph Bonaventure in the Las Vegas court yesterday she had been in possession of the cocaine. When asked what she did to obstruct justice, she replied: "I said that the purse (handbag) wasn't mine to the officer."

Accepting the deal, Mr Bonaventure warned she must change her conduct. "I assure you that if you violate the terms of your probation you will serve one year in the Clark County Detention Centre."

The plea agreement did not require Hilton to be assigned a probation officer, so she will not have to report to anyone. Hilton was arrested August 26 inside the Wynn casino resort, after police saw a small plastic bag containing 0.8 of a gram of cocaine fall out of her bag.

She and her boyfriend, Las Vegas nightclub owner Cy Waits, 34, were pulled over by a motorcycle officer who smelt a "vapour trail" of marijuana smoke.

A Beverly Hills judge has issued an arrest warrant for Lindsay Lohan after the actress failed a drug test.

The 24-year-old has been ordered to appear in court on Friday and is now facing possible jail time for violating her probation.