Heartbroken Michael Douglas and ex-wife Diandra see son Cameron sentenced to five years

Heartbroken: Michael Douglas and ex-wife Diandra leave a federal court in Manhattan after son Cameron was sentenced to five years in jail for a drug conviction

Cameron Douglas has been sentenced to five years in prison for drug charges.

The son of Oscar-winning actor Michael was told by a judge in New York that this was his 'last chance to make it'.

Federal Judge Richard Berman announced the sentence tonight after hearing Cameron apologise and admit that he had squandered a lot of opportunities to turn his life around.

The judge said earlier that he did not have confidence that Douglas would turn his back on drugs after pleading guilty in January to drug charges.

But he also criticised Michael and Diandra for being 'distant', 'problematic' and immature' parents when Cameron was growing up.

He said: 'While his family states, and I believe their intentions are sincere in doing this, they are ready to step in in any way and do the right thing, I respectfully say they do not explain what has changed in their lives that would enable them to do things differently with Cameron today than they did before.'


Disappointed: Michael Douglas makes a hasty exit from court after seeing his son sent down


Cameron, 31-year-old admitted to dealing methamphetamine and cocaine and had faced a ten-year term.

After his sentencing, Michael, 65, looked deep in thought as he left the court with ex-wife Diandra by his side.

He refused to talk to the waiting press as he and Diandra left the court and made their way to a car.


Worried father: Michael Douglas cuts an anxious and forlorn figure as he arrives at a Manhattan federal court ahead of son Cameron's sentencing for a drug conviction


Mother's love: Diandra Douglas fights her way through the waiting press as she makes her way into court to support her son


Shortly before sentencing, Michael had cut an anxious and worried figure as he arrived at the federal court.

The 65-year-old actor looked distracted and concerned as he joined Diandra, 51, Cameron's mother, who looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders as she arrived at the court flanked by security.

Last night, the actor looked sombre as he stepped out in New York City as he asked a judge to show leniency to his troubled son.


No comment: Douglas is ushered inside the court as he is bombarded with press questions


Douglas, who is now married to Welsh-born actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, 40, attended the Scad Style design event in Manhattan.

In a handwritten, five-page letter made public last night, the 65-year-old admits a family history of drug and alcohol abuse contributed towards his son's descent.

Cameron, a DJ and sometime-actor, was arrested last July after he was found in possession of $18,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine in a New York hotel room.


Strain: Michael Douglas arriving at the Scad Style design event in Chelsea, New York, last night ahead of his son's sentencing on drugs charges today


Cameron pleaded guilty earlier this year to drug dealing and his lawyers claimed it was simply a way of funding his addiction and asking the judge to consider a 47-month term.

In a letter to Judge Richard Berman, Douglas wrote: 'I love my son, but I'm not blind to his actions. I don't want to see him break.

'He is an adult and responsible for his own actions. We do know, however, that genes, family and peer pressure are a strong influence on a substance abuser.'


Absent father: Douglas believes his son Cameron could still conquer his problems and become a better person


In the letter, Douglas admitted he was often absent during his son's childhood and the family had dealt with several substance abuse problems.

The Wall Street star admitted he was treated at a Arizona clinic in the 1990s for alcohol abuse, while his brother Eric Douglas died of a drug overdose in 2004.

Douglas, who grew up with a famous father himself in Kirk Douglas, continued: 'I have some idea of the pressure of finding your own identity with a famous father.

'I'm not sure I can comprehend it with two generations to deal with.'

Douglas admitted his frequent absence during Cameron's childhood and his 'bad marriage' to his first wife Diandra Douglas, drove the teenager into gangs.

Douglas wrote: 'Cameron grew up a single child in a bad marriage. Cameron found his family in the gang mentality.'


Family support: Cameron's stepmother Catherine Zeta-Jones, pictured in New York last week, praised him as an 'exceptional' stepbrother to their two children


Cameron developed a drug problem when he was 13 and Douglas said his current spell behind bars is his longest period of sobriety since.

The actor said he cherished his weekly two hour visits to Cameron at the Metropolitan Correctional Center.

He explained: 'He's sober. I get to witness the wonderful young man he can be. He maintains his spirit, blames no one but himself and recognises his criminal activity began with his heroin use.'

Douglas's letter joined other handwritten pleas by his wife Catherine and father Kirk for mercy.


Dynasty: Cameron with his grandfather Kirk Douglas (2nd left), grandmother Diana Douglas (2nd right) and father Michael


Cameron's stepmother Zeta-Jones, 40, wrote: 'Never in my experience over the years has Cameron shown any signs of the disease that has tormented him, toward his siblings or has ever been abusive to us as a family at any time.

'My stepson is a caring, considerate, worthy human being, but never the less, the disease, that for years he has tried to combat, did take over again.

'What is wrong, is wrong, but may all these positive attributes prevail, so that a facility that he is positioned in, will help rehabilitate him.'

Spartacus legend Kirk Douglas, 93, told the judge that it was his dying wish to see his grandson turn his life around.

He wrote: 'Cameron was always a pleasant guy who cared for others. It was a surprise to me when he got in trouble.

'I am convinced that Cameron could be a fine actor and a person that cares for others. I hope I can see that happen before I die. I love Cameron.'

source: dailymail