Winona in court to deny theft charge

Actress Winona Ryder has pleaded not guilty to stealing up to £3,000 worth of goods from a Beverly Hills store.

Ryder, 30, is due in court on Friday to answer charges of theft, burglary, vandalism and possession of Oxycodone - a controlled drug.

During an earlier hearing at Beverly Hills Court she denied the four felony charges against her. Ryder was arrested on 12 December outside Saks of Fifth Avenue after police were called by security staff.

Police allege the actress, who has appeared in films such as Beetlejuice, Little Women and Girl, Interrupted, was seen on a security camera using scissors to cut tags off merchandise. She was also found in possession of pharmaceutical drugs.

Ryder's lawyer said she had a prescription for the painkillers and receipts for the items she allegedly stole.