The actor Tom Sizemore whose films include Heat, Saving Private Ryan and Black Hawk Down, was jailed yesterday for six months for abusing his ex-girlfriend, the former Hollywood madam, Heidi Fleiss.

Sizemore was arrested earlier this year after he left threatening messages on Fleiss's answering machine following the couple's split. They had lived together for two years and Sizemore told the Guardian in an interview last year how much he admired Fleiss and how they were well suited.

Judge Antonio Barreto sentenced the 39-year-old Detroit-born actor to six months in jail and three years' probation. His sentence will be reduced to three months if he can show that he has satisfactorily completed courses to deal with drug addiction, anger management and domestic violence when he reappears before the judge in January.

Sizemore, who has had serious drug problems in the past, sent a letter to the court in which he apologised. "I am very chastened by the trial and my convictions," the actor said in his letter. He blamed "personal demons".

As part of the sentence, Sizemore had to agree not to harass Fleiss.