The socialite and TV personality wasn’t present for Tuesday’s hearing, which was conducted almost entirely with lawyers at the bench speaking privately with the judge.

At one point, however, Superior Court Judge Michael Sauer was heard saying that the allegation was driving on a suspended licence. He then commented to the lawyers: "I find that a violation."

The judge later announced the matter would be postponed to May 4 and Paris was ordered to appear.

Outside court, the star’s attorney Howard Weitzman was asked whether the matter was close to being resolved.

"It is," he said without elaboration.

Asked what will happen on May 4, he said: "I expect to be here."

The prosecutor didn’t comment to reporters.

In January, Paris pleaded no contest to alcohol-related reckless driving stemming from a September 7 arrest in Hollywood and was sentenced to 36 months probation, alcohol education and £750 in fines.

She was then pulled over on Sunset Boulevard on February 28 for allegedly speeding with her car’s headlights off and was ticketed for misdemeanour driving with a suspended licence.

Her spokesman Elliot Mintz said at the time that she wasn’t aware her licence was suspended.

Paris’ new romance hots up - April 13 2007
Paris Hilton’s budding romance with Desperate Housewives hunk Josh Henderson seems to be hotting up, with the pair looking inseparable at a showbiz bash this week.

The couple were spotted at the star-studded Complex magazine party in LA and onlookers said the hotel heiress seemed smitten, reports the Daily Star.

"They looked very close and there was a lot of chemistry between them," a source told the paper.

It’s thought Paris and Josh have been dating for several weeks, although they haven’t confirmed they are an item.

Last month they were seen kissing goodnight after leaving an LA cinema holding hands and TMZ.com reported that they recently stepped out together at a party hosted by Paris’ sister Nicky.

The socialite’s mouthpiece, Elliot Mintz, told the website that Josh "treats Paris with great respect and dignity".

When asked if the couple were officially together, he replied coyly: "Matters of that nature are only the business of the two people involved."

Paris could face jail - Mar 30 2007
Uh-oh - could Paris face time in the slammer? Los Angeles prosecutors have said they will ask a judge to revoke the socialite’s probation in a reckless driving case - which could lead to a jail term.

The decision followed an investigation into whether the heiress violated terms of her probation by driving last month with a suspended licence.

"We’re confident we have sufficient evidence to prove that her licence was suspended and that she had knowledge of that suspension," said Nick Velasquez, a spokesman for the city attorney’s office.

Paris could face up to 90 days in jail if a judge finds she violated her probation, he said.

He declined to elaborate on the evidence, citing an ongoing investigation.

In January, Paris pleaded no contest to alcohol-related reckless driving stemming from a September 7 arrest in Hollywood and was sentenced to 36 months probation, alcohol education and a fine of 1,500 dollars.

She was pulled over on Sunset Boulevard on February 28. Police said they saw her blue Bentley Continental GTC speeding with its headlights off. She was ticketed for misdemeanour driving with a suspended licence.

Her spokesman Elliot Mintz said at the time that she was not aware that her licence was suspended. He declined to comment yesterday.