Sean Penn [Photo/Agencies]

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Sean Penn was escorted out of a restaurant by armed guards.

The 'Milk' star, who is rumoured to be dating fellow Oscar-winner Charlize Theron, was accompanied to his car by officers from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department after dining in Craig's eatery in West Hollywood on January 6 because it was surrounded by paparazzi.

A spokesperson for the LA Sheriff's Department told gossip website TMZ.com that deputies responded to a disturbance call from staff at the restaurant on Melrose Avenue at approximately 11:08pm, who were concerned that photographers were blocking the entrance and preventing patrons from entering or exiting the restaurant safely.

The officers cleared a path so Sean could make his way to his car without incident.

The 53-year-old actor, who was previously married to 'House of Cards' star Robin Wright and Madonna, has had several run-ins with the paparazzi in LA in the past and was sentenced to 300 hours of community service in 2010 after allegedly kicking a photographer.

He served 60 days in prison in 1987 for punching a movie extra in the face numerous times when the man took photographs of him on the set of drama 'Colors'.

Sean was also captured on video screaming at a fan, who tried to take his photograph with a phone at the St. Regis hotel in San Francisco in November 2013.