Sienna snubs court with text message

Sienna Miller announced her non-attendance as a court witness today via text message.

The actress is considered a "critical witness" in the trial of Otis Ferry, who is accused of preventing photographers taking pictures of her as they left a London club in February.

Ferry, singer Bryan Ferry's son, allegedly grabbed a photographer's keys from his car window and then threw them away.

But Miller is reportedly in Mexico at the moment and can not make the trial. Phillip Lucas for the defence told the judge: "I have a witness difficulty in that the actress Sienna Miller is not here. There is not much I can do about it.

"I'm going to explore the possibility of having a statement read."

He added: "In the last few days she has indicated she cannot make it in a text message. The information we have from the press is that she is in Mexico.

"I'm not going to be able to serve a witness summons in Mexico."

The news means that Miller will not be able to attend the hearing tomorrow either and Lucas is considering whether to apply for an adjournment.

But District Judge David Simpson said: "I think it is too late in the day to have an adjournment outright so if anything we are going to be part-heard."

Ferry has denied two counts of criminal damage. The trial will resume later on today.