Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Nicholas Brendon arrested for 'choking girlfriend'

Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon has been arrested for allegedly choking his girlfriend during a row.

The 44-year-old actor, who played Xander Harris in the cult TV show, was detained in New York on Wednesday.

Police said Brendon's girlfriend called them to report a "domestic incident" at a downtown hotel after she went to return some property to the TV star.

When she tried to leave, Brendon allegedly grabbed her car keys and threw her phone into the street, according to the police report.

Bill Jillson, investigations lieutenant at Saratoga Springs Police Department: "It sounds like it went downhill from there. He allegedly grabbed her by the throat and started choking her.”

Brendon was arrested a few blocks away and police said alcohol was involved in the dispute.

He has later charged with robbery, obstruction of breathing and criminal mischief and released on $20,000 bail.

It is the third time the actor has been arrested this year.

In March he was charged with criminal mischief and property damage after trashing a Florida hotel room.

And in May he was charged with public intoxication on a beach in South Carolina.