Star's son jailed for five years

Michael Douglas' son Cameron was found guilty of narcotics...

08:42 21 April 2010

Hollywood actor Michael DouglasÂ’s son Cameron has been sentenced to five years in jail.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell methamphetamine and cocaine and heroin possession. The charges which carry a maximum of 10 years behind bars.

His Oscar winning father was present in the courtroom when Judge Richard Berman read out CameronÂ’s sentence.

Michael, along with his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones and his father Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, had written to the judge to plea for mercy in Cameron's sentencing.

In his letter to the judge, Michael asked for leniency for his son, who has battled with drugs since the age of 13.

The 'Wall Street' star said: “I have some idea of the pressure of finding your own identity with a famous father. I’m not sure I can comprehend it with two generations to deal with.”

However, Judge Berman blasted the idea that Cameron was a "victim" of his surroundings and said: "Get beyond and get over that idea ... that Cameron Douglas is a victim. This is Cameron’s last chance to make it.”

In addition to jail time, Cameron was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine and sentenced to 450 hours of community service.

When his five year jail term is complete, he will also have to spend an additional five years in a supervised release program.

After the sentencing, Cameron pledged to kick his long-running heroin addiction for good and apologised to his family for what he had put them through.

He said: “I will not be led astray by my warped thinking and false pretences due to my heroin addiction, I want to take the right path ... I feel like it's my duty. I apologize to my family and my loved ones for putting them through this nightmare of my making.”

Cameron was arrested last year for dealing the drugs in New York. He was caught once again when his girlfriend tried to smuggle him drugs in an electric toothbrush while he was under home detention awaiting trial. Cameron was not granted bail due to the high possibility of a relapse.

Michael was reportedly heard telling Cameron’s lawyers that he thought the sentence was “fair”, but refused to speak to reporters outside the court.

The three Douglas generations - Kirk, Michael and Cameron - appeared together in the film 'It Runs In The Family' which revolved around a family's relationship troubles.