KANGAROO JACK - ANDERSON'S FIRST COURT APPEARANCE

KANGAROO JACK star ANTHONY ANDERSON made a brief court appearance on Thursday (29JUL04) to say he understands he is accused of rape and has a lawyer.

The 33-year-old actor was accused by an unidentified woman of luring her into a trailer on the Memphis, Tennessee, set of his latest film, HUSTLE AND FLOW, and sexually assaulting her with the film's assistant director, WAYNE WITHERSPOON.

Anderson and Witherspoon attended SHELBY COUNTY GENERAL SESSIONS COURT to deny criminal wrongdoing and are currently free after posting a $20,000 (GBP11,100) bond each.

Anderson avoided reporters on Thursday by using a side door to the courtroom generally reserved for judges.

Another hearing has been set for 19 August (04) for lawyers to tell the court if they are ready to go forward with the case.