Comic denies charges

Paul Reubens, the American comedian behind the character Pee-wee Herman, has been charged under child pornography laws.

The comic is accused of possessing photographs following a police search of his home last November.

Reubens' attorney, Blair Berk, said the misdemeanour charge, which carries a maximum sentence of a year in jail and a $2,500 fine, was untrue.

And his spokesman told the Reuters news agency that the case stemmed from a few images in his collection of "vintage physique art photography" and Reubens was unaware that they were improper .

Reubens's career was nearly destroyed in 1991 when he was arrested for allegedly masturbating in an adult movie cinema.

Published: 16 Nov 2002