Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis, 69, arrested for ‘sexually assaulting woman in Italy before dumping her at airport’

OSCAR-WINNING director Paul Haggis has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman during a trip to Italy. Prosecutors in Brindisi say the Canadian filmmaker is “seriously suspected of the crimes of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated personal injury”. AFPPaul Haggis has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault[/caption] Haggis, 69, is best known for writing and producing Crash, which won a Best Picture Oscar, He also wrote the script for Bond film Quantum of Solace. News agency LaPresse reports the alleged victim, who isn’t Italian, was “forced to undergo sexual intercourse” over the course of two days. She was forced to seek medical care after the encounter, it’s claimed. Prosecutors Antonio Negro and Livia Orlando, who are conducting the investigation, said in a written statement the woman was accompanied to the airport in Brindisi and left there. She was taken to a local hospital after airport staff and police noticed her in a “confused state”, it’s claimed. Haggis has been in Italy for a film festival that begins on Tuesday in Ostuni, a tourist town in Puglia. Variety confirmed with LA-based journalist Silvia Bisio, who was set to host a panel with Haggis, that he was arrested. She said the festival is “completely taking its distance” from Haggis and will be issuing a statement to that effect, the trade reported. His lawyer didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY… The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun. Most read in News SICK OPERATION Crime boss who ran £250k-a-year prostitute ring to fund lavish life jailed ROYAL RIFT Furious Andrew refusing to socialise with Charles & Wills after comeback blocked SPY ANOTHER DAY Putin ‘orders up to 50 sleeper agents in Britain to prepare to strike' NEIGHBOURS AT WAR We're in 4-year battle with neighbours over 15ft fence - it's hell GONE TOO SOON TV presenter dies aged 43 after asking fans to 'say prayers for me' WAR FOOTING Get ready to fight Russia in potential WW3, Britain's top general tells Army