Lindsay Lohan has been told in no uncertain terms she will face jail time if she accepts a plea deal from prosecutors to avoid trial for allegedly stealing a string of piddle worth $2,500. The actress appeared in court yesterday for a hearing on a felony grand theft charge alleging that she stole the necklace from a Los Angeles jewellery shop last month. You might have read about it.

The 24-year-old former actress, who is currently free on $40,000 bail, was charged on February 9th with grand theft for allegedly stealing the necklace from Kamofie & Company on 22 January. Lohan arrived at the Los Angeles Airport Branch Courthouse just before the 8.30am hearing yesterday in a slightly more modest rigout than she did last time...

Her lawyer Shawn Holley and prosecutor Danette Meyers discussed a possible plea bargain for about 30 minutes in the judge's chambers before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Keith L Schwartz addressed Lohan. She now has until March 10th to decide whether to plead guilty or not contest, or go to trial and possibly face a more severe sentencing. Judge Schwartz told her: "Miss Lohan, there are a couple of things you need to understand, so there is absolutely no misunderstanding... I never met you before the last court appearance, you never met me. One of the things about me is that I treat everyone the same. I don't care you are Lindsay Lohan versus John Doe or Jane Doe.... This case does involve jail time. Period. If this case is resolved in front of me - you are going to jail. Period (please stop saying period). Now there may be an issue as to the amount of time that you go to [jail] and that's why a judge has discretion in sentencing. But if it settles here... you will be going to jail." He then pounded his gavel against his chest and emitted a shrill war cry. A matter of moments later, Michael Lohan was on Piers Morgan's show talking about his daughter going to prison.

If convicted, Lohan could face up to three years in a state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office. But that won't happen. It never does.