Poundstone to undergo rehab

American comic Paula Poundstone has admitted that her drinking put children at risk.

At Los Angeles Supreme Court yesterday, the 41-year-old pleaded no contest to charges that she hurt and endangered children.

But the more serious accusations about lewd conduct on a girl under the age of 14, which carries a maximum 13-year sentence, were dropped by the prosceution.

Poundstone will now undergo a drink rehabilitation programme and five years supervised probation.

In a written statement she said: "The lewd conduct charges were dropped because they weren't true. I pled no contest to the child endangerment-injury charges because they were. My drinking helped to create a dangerous situation for the children. For this, I am very sorry."

Poundstone lost custody of her three adopted children after she was arrested on June 27 in Malibu, Califronia, but she could get them back, her publicist said. But she will not regain custody of her two foster children and will not be eligible to care for more.

Poundstone was once named best female stand-up in the American Comedy Awards, had her own, short-lived TV show in 1993 and starred in the US game show To Tell the Truth.

Published: 12 Sep 2001