A fan of Hollywood actor John Cusack has been arrested and charged with stalking the star.

Emily Leatherman, 33, was also charged with lesser counts of petty theft and disobeying a restraining order, which Cusack took out against her in 2007.

The 33-year-old could face a maximum of three years behind bars for the stalking charge and one year for the misdemeanour counts, after police found her near the Malibu home of the High Fidelity actor.

Leatherman pleaded not guilty to the charges in court but has continued to be held in custody on £252,000 bail since her arrest on Sunday.

Cusack, 41, was granted a restraining order in July 2006 which ordered Leatherman to stay at least 500 feet away from him, his home, his car and offices or companies in which he does business.

Cusack, is best known for a string of 1980s films, including Sixteen Candles and Say Anything.

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.