Lindsay Lohan escapes prosecution in New York club brawl

Lindsay Lohan has landed a lucky break as she prepares to begin a 90-day stint in rehab - she will not face charges relating to a New York nightclub brawl last November (12), according to reports.

The Mean Girls star was under investigation for allegedly punching Tiffany Mitchell, 28, during a night out with members of British boyband The Wanted at Club Avenue in Manhattan last year (12).

The actress was arrested after the incident and ordered to appear in court in January (13) to face a third-degree misdemeanour assault charge, but authorities delayed the hearing to give themselves more time to look into the case, and now it appears Lohan, who denied the claims she lashed out at Mitchell, won't be prosecuted over the incident after all - because witnesses are failing to co-operate, reports TMZ.com.

The news will be warmly welcomed by the embattled star after a strenuous week - she turned up late to court in Los Angeles on Monday (18Mar13) to answer charges she lied to police in a separate case, and agreed to complete 90 days in a lock-down treatment center, 30 days of community service and 18 months of psychotherapy to avoid a stint behind bars. She has been given until 2 May (13) to begin the rehab sentence.