From correspondents in London, England, 12:31 PM IST

Actor Gerard Butler will have to serve six months in jail if he is convicted on charges of criminal battery for punching a photographer last year.

Butler had an altercation with a photographer on Oct 7, 2008, the night his movie 'Rock n Rolla' was premiered in Hollywood.

He was getting into a car outside the Crown Bar in Los Angeles after the premiere party when he allegedly punched the photographer in the mouth three or four times, reported aceshowbiz.com.

Due in court for an arraignment June 10, Butler is facing up to six months in jail if convicted on the charge.

But the actor's attorney Blair Berk said his celebrity client is not required to and won't appear in court.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)