25 July 2012 Last updated at 14:12 ET

Russell Brand charged with criminal damage

The maximum sentence for the offence is six months in prison

Comedian Russell Brand has been charged with criminal damage after he allegedly threw a paparazzo's iPhone through a window.

The charge relates to an incident in March where the photographer is said to have tried to take Brand's picture.

The New Orleans district attorney said Brand would be invited to enter a plea at a hearing within a week.

If convicted, the comedian could face up to six months in prison or a $500 (£322) fine.

However it is understood to be very unlikely Brand would face a jail sentence.

The comedian is accused of taking the phone and throwing it through the window of a nearby law firm.

Police later issued a warrant on a charge of criminal damage to property valued at $700 (£450).

Writing on Twitter at the time of the incident, Brand said he took the phone as "a tribute" to Apple boss Steve Jobs, who died last year.

He tweeted: "Since Steve Jobs died I cannot bear to see anyone use an iPhone irreverently, what I did was a tribute to his memory."