Cowell ex attacker pleads not guilty

The woman accused of attacking Simon Cowell's ex-girlfriend has pleaded not guilty, reports TMZ.

Janice Thibodeaux, 33, was handed two misdemeanour charges of battery and assault after allegedly attempting to choke Terri Seymour at a taping of American Idol on Tuesday evening.

During an appearance at a Los Angeles court this morning, Thibodeaux denied the charges against her. A judge set bail at $20,000 and ordered her back to court on June 4.

The maximum penalty for the battery charge is six months behind bars and a $2,000 fine, while the assault charge carries a maximum jail sentence of one year and a $10,000 fine.

Seymour recently branded the incident as "sudden" and "very scary", while Cowell described it as a "frenzied attack".

Thibodeaux is reported to have confronted the British TV presenter in order to avenge an incident that happened between Cowell and fellow judge Paula Abdul last week.