Police say she was woken up by the sound of him banging on her windows.

Reports in the US claim she saw him on her CCTV cameras and called for help immediately.

The 29-year-old socialite posted a picture on her Twitter page of the suspect in handcuffs on her lawn, surrounded by police.

She tweeted: "So scary, just got woken up to a guy trying to break into my house holding 2 big knifes. Cops are here arresting him."

The Los Angeles police department says the man was arrested at around 6.30am and that his motive is unknown.

He's said to be in his 40s and was caught before he was able to get into the house. Police haven't released a name.

Ms Hilton was arrested in Port Elizabeth after the Netherlands' defeat of Brazil in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

She appeared at a special court on Friday evening.

The details of her charges have not been released and the court hearing went ahead behind closed doors.

Ms Hilton is the great-granddaughter of the founder of the Hilton hotel chain.

She appeared in the court wearing a beige dress and a glittery necklace with her hair in two ponytails, a reporter said.

She appeared briefly in the special court set up to process cases during the World Cup before being taken into another room, reports said.

Paris was detained and questioned by police, after someone in her entourage allegedly was caught smoking marijuana at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, where the World Cup is held.Paris has been released and cops even apologized for misidentifying her.

“Just finished watching an entire season of Simple Life 2 - Road Trip. So many fun and amazing memories with @NicoleRichie. :) Love her! (sic),” Paris wrote on her Twitter page.

Paris and Nicole shot to fame when they appeared in the first season of the hit show in 2003. The programme saw them ditch their mobile phones and credit cards and move in with a farming family for a month.

The series was so successful the girls went on to shoot four more seasons, despite them falling out in 2006 and not speaking for several months.

The couple was recently spotted partying together in Las Vegas till the wee hours in the morning.

Paris seems to be taking it slow with Waits, who co-owns several exclusive venues in Las Vegas.

The blonde beauty has had a string of relationships with model Jason Shaw, Greek heir Stavros Niarchos and most recently The Hills star Doug Reinhardt. She broke up with Reinhardt in April this year.

Hilton, 29, and Reinhardt, 24, broke up “weeks ago,” her rep confirmed Thursday. “The relationship between Paris and Doug is over. She broke up with him more than two weeks ago.”

The hotel heiress and Reinhardt had been dating for the past 14 months.

Paris had this to say

“I am like so past that — I don’t even care!” Hilton, 29, told UsMagazine.com at Wednesday’s Project A.L.S. fundraiser at Lucky Strike Lanes in Hollywood.

A week ago, Hilton’s rep confirmed to Us that the star had dumped 25-year-old Reinhardt “more than two weeks ago.” Hilton and the Hills star began dating early last year but took a break in June.

“I don’t even remember that time in my life,” Hilton quipped of their just-ended romance. “I am over it!”

WHAT: Paris Hilton fans will get a double dose of the dog-loving diva as she crosses the Atlantic Ocean in search of a best friend that she can trust while working and playing in the U.K.  In true Paris style, the cameras are there every step of the way as she puts 12 hopeful Brits through the test of true friendship, and selects her new British “BFF.” TV Guide Network brings viewers all the toasts, tantrums and tears with the U.S. exclusive premiere of “Paris Hilton’s British Best Friend” airing Tuesday, April 6 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The hottest heiress in the world, Paris Hilton, has built herself into a globally recognized actress, singer, brand, and cultural icon. In order to grow her empire, she must travel the world making appearances, taking meetings, and partying with the rich and famous. Along the way, she wants to find a best friend she can trust to share her fabulous life with. Hilton finds herself in the UK along with 12 eager contestants (11 girls and one boy) who must compete in a series of tasks set by Hilton herself, to see if they have what it takes to be her new best friend.

In the end, one lucky contestant will get to live the modern fairy tale for the celebrity-obsessed – walking the red carpet with Paris Hilton on their arm. For those less fortunate contestants, Paris sends each loser home with her harsh, but honest, signature send off – “TTYN: Talk To You Never.”

WHEN: “Paris Hilton’s British Best Friend” premieres Tuesday, April 6 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT

WHERE: TV Guide Network (check local listings)

For additional press information and photography, visit www.tvguidenetworkpr.com/paris.

Credit: Irene / www.fanscape.com 

The heiress has reportedly had meetings with every major station in the US in a bid to pitch a show about her engagement and wedding to boyfriend Doug Reinhardt but has not received any offers.

TV executives are said to have rejected her latest idea because they fear the 29-year-old star has become over-exposed.

"She's been on TV constantly since 2003, when The Simple Life debuted, and the public may be saturated with Paris," a source told the New York Post newspaper.

Paris' spokeswoman has denied the star was even contemplating any such show.

Paris and Doug started dating in February 2009, before briefly splitting in June. They quickly reunited and have reportedly been planning their engagement and wedding ever since.