Paris Hilton, who was sentenced to 45 days in jail, has called the judgment cruel and unwarranted — and fired her spokesperson who she blames for the incident. On Friday a judge ordered the socialite to spend the time behind bars in suburban Los Angeles after being found guilty of driving without a valid license. The traffic offence was in violation of her probation relating to a charge of driving under the influence. In court the 26-year-old heiress claimed before Superior Court Judge Michael Sauer that her publicist Elliot Mintz had told her she was allowed to drive in work-related situations. She also claimed the veteran rep, who started out in the 1970s through his links with John Lennon, had told her repeatedly that the license was only suspended for 30 days.

Mintz himself also testified in his blonde client's defence but was rejected as a worthless witness. Sauer rejected the claims and handed down the sentence. Howard Weitzman, Hilton's lawyer, hopes "to modify the sentence" through an appeal.

"I told the truth," the socialite said in her first comments following the incident.

"I feel that I was treated unfairly and that the sentence is both cruel and unwarranted. I don't deserve this," she said on Saturday night to photographers camped outside her LA home.

The following day, Mintz sent an email to celebrity news website TMZ.com and People magazine, revealing that he and Hilton had parted ways.

"The day after the hearing, I sent an e-mail expressing my sadness over the ruling of the judge and the irrational sentence he imposed," revealed the 62-year-old showbiz veteran.

"In that e-mail I also offered my sincerest apology for any misunderstanding she received from me regarding the terms of her probation. To the extent that I have miscommunicated information I received from her attorneys... I am deeply and profoundly sorry," added the man who has represented Bob Dylan and lists Christie Brinkley amongst his current clients.

"I told her that I assume personal responsibility for my part in this matter. I believe when stated in court that she believed it was o.k. for her to drive under certain circumstances she was being absolutely truthful. Due to this misunderstanding, I am no longer representing Paris," he explained.