Mischa Barton held on drink and drug charges

Mischa Barton held on drink and drug charges
Mischa Barton held on drink and drug charges (Image credit: AP/PA Photos)

Actress Mischa Barton was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possessing marijuana after her car was stopped in West Hollywood. Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said the former star of The OC was taken into custody after deputies saw her car straddling two lanes of traffic and failing to signal while making a turn. "During Ms Barton's detention, it was determined that she was an unlicensed driver and was driving while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage," their statement said. The 21-year-old actress was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving without a licence, possessing a controlled substance and possessing marijuana, according to a statement from sheriff's Sgt John Hocking. She spent about seven hours in the West Hollywood jail before being released on £5,000 bail. A court hearing was scheduled for February 28. Calls to her manager and publicist were not immediately returned. Barton played Marissa Cooper on The OC from 2003 to 2006, when her character died in a car crash. She has also appeared in several movies, including The Sixth Sense and the upcoming Virgin Territory. She is currently on screen in the comic romp St Trinian's. In May, Barton was taken to hospital for two hours after an antibiotic she was taking interacted badly with alcohol.

The What's on TV team brings you everything you need to know about the world of TV. We have all the information on what is happening in the soaps, what you can't afford to miss on television and which new shows and series are launching. Our handy guides, to all the latest TV shows, bring you everything you need to know about new launches, returning series and must-see events so that you don't miss a thing..