Hillary Duff's dad begins stint in jail

Relevant offers

Celebrities

Lively spends Valentine's with dad Hollywood couple rely on date nights Reese plans Valentine's Day surprise Entertainment Quiz 10/2 Perry, Brand finalise divorce Celebrity mum and daughter BFFs DeGeneres hits back at haters Moore not allowed to know weight Sharon Stone embraces her age The George and Brad Show

The father of pop star Hilary Duff has been ordered to serve 10 days in jail for contempt of court.

Robert Duff was reportedly arrested yesterday and sent by a judge to a Texas county jail for allegedly violating an injunction by selling assets without court approval.

He must pay the $368,000 he earned from the sale into a court fund and serve 10 days in jail.

The arrest came following an earlier dispute between the 20-year-old singer's parents over her birthday party.

Robert and Susan - who have been involved in a bitter divorce battle for two-and-a-half years - appeared in court after Susan requested $25,000 to spend on presents and a party for Hilary's 21st birthday next month - the same sum she claims they spent on elder daughter Haylie's 21st in 2006.

A lawyer for Robert asked Susan - who claimed she relies on financial help from Hilary to pay lawyers' fees and other bills - if her "adult millionaire daughter would be upset if she did not receive an expensive gift and party for her birthday".

Susan replied that her daughter "is emotionally upset by the abandonment of her father and deserves to have some kind of recognition for a young life well lived", before claiming he currently spends his cash on buying his girlfriend's sons gifts.

Robert was ordered to pay $12,500 to Susan for Hilary's birthday, before being arrested for contempt of court.

His lawyer says he plans to appeal.

- Z_Bang! Showbiz