Police probe claims Gibson abused ex-girlfriend

Police officials say they are looking into claims that Oscar-winning director and actor Mel Gibson physically abused his former girlfriend and the mother of one of his children.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's office released a statement saying it was "gathering information regarding the allegations" and would disclose no other details because the probe was preliminary.

A spokesman for The Passion of the Christ and Braveheart star was not immediately available to comment.

The sheriff's statement said the alleged violence occurred in January at Gibson's home in Malibu, California, and it named his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, as the alleged victim.

Gibson, 54, and the 40-year-old Russian singer have been embroiled in a bitter legal battle in recent months over the custody of their infant daughter, Lucia.

They have obtained restraining orders against each other.