Shia LaBeouf arrested again just hours after claiming he doesn't ‘have a drinking problem’

Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community which some readers may find distressing.

Shia LaBeouf has been arrested again in New Orleans, just hours after claiming that he did not have a drinking problem.

According to an update from the Associated Press, the 39-year-old actor was arrested and charged with charged with one misdemeanor count of simple battery yesterday (28 February).

An attorney for LaBeouf has since confirmed his newest arrest is in connection to a brawl which took place on 17 February - during Mardi Gras celebrations - in which the actor was taken into custody on two charges of simple battery after a brawl at a bar in the city's historic French Quarter.

She added to AP that he turned himself in voluntarily after learning of the latest warrant.

(Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

"No regular person would be required to post over $100,000 in bonds, and be jailed two separate times for one misdemeanor incident,” Chervinsky told the outlet.

"Just as he does not deserve preferential treatment, Mr. LaBeouf also does not deserve to be treated more harshly by the police and courts just because he is a public figure."

The latest arrest came shortly after LaBeouf addressed his actions in an interview with Channel 5's Andrew Callaghan.

In the astonishing interview, the Even Stevens actor touched on last month's behaviour, saying his behaviour was 'f**ked up'.

"It was no good, bro. My behavior’s dirty, ugly, disgusting, so I gotta eat it, you know?"

LaBeouf said 'who gives a f**k' about prospective jail time, saying: "It’s another experience. Jail be another adventure. What are you gonna do."

The actor then went on to claim that he did not have issues with alcohol, saying he did not have a drinking problem but instead a ' small man complex'.

"I don’t think I have a drinking problem. I think I have a different problem, and I’m gonna address it … I think I have a small man complex," he said. "Some kind of Napoleonic, I don’t know what it is. I think it’s something that has to do with anger and ego more than my drinking."

He then went on to address claims that he'd made derogatory comments towards LGBTQ people, seemingly confirming that his homophobic remarks are what led to him being taken into custody.

"Big, gay people are scary to me," he went on to tell the interviewer, claiming he'd been 'triggered' when 'gay men' were allegedly touching his leg.

"If that’s homophobic, then I’m that," he added. "I’m good with gay, be gay over there though, don’t be gay in my lap."

Addressing the incident for a final time in the interview, he continued: "I am wrong for touching anyone ever and that’s the end of my statement on this whole s**t."

LaBeouf's comments follow an alleged victim of the actor's speaking out, with New Orleans patron ‘Jeffrey Dammit’ claiming LaBeouf had threatened to 'kick his ass’ and called him a homophobic slur.

LADbible Group previously contacted representatives for Shia LaBeouf for comment.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]