KANGAROO JACK - ANTHONY ANDERSON CHARGED WITH RAPE

KANGAROO JACK star ANTHONY ANDERSON has been arrested and charged with aggravated rape while shooting a movie.

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.

Both men were charged yesterday (28JUL04), after being taken into custody by the SHELBY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

The alleged incident occurred on Tuesday (27JUL04) afternoon at the SHELBY COUNTY CORRECTIONAL CENTER, a penal farm on the outskirts of Memphis, where filming was under way for the movie.

Sheriff's spokesman STEVE SHULAR says a passer-by heard screams coming from the trailer and opened the door.

Shular says, "She ran out nude."

Both suspects were released yesterday evening after posting a $20,000 (GBP11,100) bond each.

ALLAN MAYER, spokesman for married father-of-two Anderson, says, "(Anthony) absolutely denies the heinous charges.

"Anthony is a happily married family man who has never been accused of - no less involved in - anything remotely like this, and we are confident that when all the facts come out, he will be completely exonerated."

Mayer says it's unclear whether Anderson will return to work on the movie, but adds he will likely remain in the Memphis area for the time being.