Seacrest's alleged stalker pleads not guilty

An obsessed fan of American Idol host Ryan Seacrest has pleaded not guilty to stalking the U.S. TV personality.

Chidi Uzomah, a special forces reserve for the U.S. Army, was charged on Monday (02Nov09) with a felony count of stalking and two misdemeanour counts of violating a court order after he was found wielding a knife at Seacrest's Los Angeles office on Friday (30Oct09)

The 25 year old appeared in court on Tuesday (03Nov09) and entered a not guilty plea. His bail was set at £93,750.

Meanwhile, during the court hearing, Seacrest was awarded a protective order against Uzomah, banning him from going within 500 yards (457.2 metres) from the American Idol host.

Uzomah is due back in court on 16 November (09) and faces up to four years behind bars if convicted.

The suspect previously pleaded guilty in September (09) to attacking the TV host's security guard during a visit to a hospital.