Film star Robert Downey Jr has won a pardon for a drugs conviction nearly 20 years ago after 'living an honest and upright life'.
Police found heroin, cocaine and a pistol in the Iron Man actor's car when he was stopped for speeding near Los Angeles in June 1996. After more drug arrests he went on to spend a year and three months in prison for violating probation.
Since then Downey, 50, has beaten his addictions and starred in a string of hit films, including the Iron Man series, The Avengers and Sherlock Holmes. He has been Hollywood's highest-paid actor for the last three years.
Now, California governor Jerry Brown has revealed Downey is among 91 people granted Christmas pardons after staying out of custody for ten years.
Brown said Oscar-nominated Downey had 'lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen'.
