Michael Lohan has been released from jail.

The 51-year-old TV personality - the father of actress Lindsay Lohan - was let go from the Hillsborough County prison in Tampa, Florida, last night (26.10.11) after appearing in court earlier in the day where he faced charges of domestic battery, which he denies.

Michael - who was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend Kate Major - said: "I did not lay a hand on her."

The judge set his bail at $5,000 and ordered for him to be detained until 6pm yesterday.

Michael's lawyer informed the judge his client had been given an "invitation" to visit Kate - but the official questioned his reading ability.

He responded: "If he has a restraining order, he's not allowed to come up to see her. He's not allowed to be around her. Does he not know how to read?

"He'd better understand. If you even dream about her and violate my order then you will go to jail."

Kate asked for a permanent restraining order against Michael in court on Tuesday (25.10.11) - but the judge only granted her a temporary restraining order which expires on November 15.

A police report obtained by TMZ.com alleges Michael - who was arrested in March for allegedly assaulting Kate - smashed his girlfriend's cell phone and threatened to throw her from a fourth-floor balcony after she refused to perform oral sex on him.

The report stated: "The defendant again pushed her multiple times and squeezed her arms. She suffered minor bruising and complained of shoulder pains."