Nicolas Cage Absolved of Dastardly Dognapping Allegations

Neither was at London's High Court to hear 44-year-old Cage's solicitor, Simon Smith, tell Mr Justice Eady of the "utter falsity" of the allegations in Send Yourself Roses. He said that an extract of the book, which appeared in the Daily Mail in January, described their experience of working together on the movie Peggy Sue Got Married in 1986.

Turner, 53, stated that her co-star was "arrested twice for drunk-driving and, I think, for stealing a dog. He'd come across a Chihuahua he liked and stuck it in his jacket." Mr Smith said that Turner, Associated Newspapers and Headline Publishing Group now accepted that, owing to a mistake on Turner's part and despite the other defendants' publishing in good faith, the allegations were defamatory and false and ought never to have been published.

They personally apologised for the damage caused to Cage's personal and professional reputation and for the considerable distress and embarrassment. They had agreed to reimburse all his legal costs and make a substantial donation to a charity chosen by him to benefit the victims of elder abuse. Mr Smith said the defendants had also given a contractual undertaking never to republish the allegations and had agreed to publish an apology in the Daily Mail and remove the article from its websites, and insert a correction/apology in the book.

Jane Phillips, counsel for the defendants, said they sincerely apologised and accepted that the allegations were false. Outside court, Mr Smith said: "My client is extremely pleased with the outcome, which sets the record straight, since he has never been arrested for drunk driving, dog theft, or anything else."