Polanski must do time if he returns to US

Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski can never return to America without serving a prison sentence.

Polanski - who picked up the Best Director award at this year’s Academy Awards for his new movie The Pianist - has lived in exile in France since fleeing the US in 1977 after being convicted of the statutory rape of a 13 year old girl.

In recent years Polanksi’s lawyers are rumoured to have had talks with American lawmakers about a possible return to the States.

But, speaking after the director’s victory on Sunday – which he celebrated from a Paris hotel room - Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley insisted there is no way the 69-year-old could ever set foot on American soil without serving a prison sentence.

Cooley said: “I don’t want to get too much into details, but if he has attorneys who want to meet with my lawyers, we’ll certainly listen to what he has to say.”

And when asked if any deal would involve prison time, Cooley added: “Absolutely.”