Sutherland reaches deal with 'head-butt' victim

Actor Kiefer Sutherland and the fashion designer he’s accused of head-butting at a New York night club have said they resolved their differences, clearing the way for the charges to be dropped.

Sutherland and Jack McCollough issued a brief joint statement through the actor’s lawyer.

“I am sorry about what happened that night and sincerely regret that Mr McCollough was injured,” Sutherland said in the statement.

The star of '24' was charged on May 7 with third-degree assault in the alleged incident two weeks ago at a nightclub at the Mercer Hotel in the trendy SoHo neighbourhood of Manhattan. The minor charge is comparable to a speeding ticket.

A spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office declined to comment on whether the charges would be dismissed.

But now that Sutherland and Mr McCollough say they have resolved their differences, a prosecutor may go before a judge and ask that the case be dropped. That could happen at Sutherland’s next scheduled court appearance on June 22.

“I appreciate Mr Sutherland’s statement and wish him well,” Mr McCollough said in the statement.