SHIA LABEOUF - SHIA LABEOUF PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO SMOKING BAN BREACH

Rising Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf has pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful smoking.

The Transformers and Disturbia actor's lawyer entered the plea on his client's behalf at a Californian court.

LaBeouf, 21, is accused of breaching a smoking ban, although court documents have not specified where and when the alleged offence took place.

The actor had been due to attend court on Tuesday but failed to appear, leading to a $1,000 (£505) warrant being issued.

If he is found guilty he faces the same amount as a fine and six months in jail.

The smoking charges are not LaBeouf's first run-in with the law.

Last year he only avoided a potential court appearance when a security firm dropped charges of trespass after the actor allegedly refused to leave a Chicago drugstore.

Recalling the incident to Empire magazine, LaBeouf – who can next be seen alongside Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – said it had been "complete and utter insanity".

"There are lessons in life I need to learn, and I'm learning all of them in front of the public," he added.