Comedian Lee Hurst denies smashing phone

Stand-up comic Lee Hurst today pleaded not guilty to smashing an audience member's mobile phone at one of his gigs.

The bald-headed comedian is alleged to have grabbed the phone during a performance at the Stoke Pub in Guildford, Surrey and thrown it to the floor.

The former star of TV show They Think It's All Over appeared in the dock at Guildford Magistrates Court wearing jeans and a grey top for the brief hearing today.

He is accused of destroying the Motorola K1 handset worth £80 belonging to Gareth Hughes either intentionally or recklessly on September 4 this year.

He entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of criminal damage, telling the court: "I wasn't there".

The charge carries a maximum sentence of three months jail and/or a fine.

Magistrates granted the comic unconditional bail to return for trial at the same court on 16 February.

Hurst, from Narrow Street, Limehouse, south-east London, indicated he would be representing himself at trial.