Daily Express: Sienna dumps law...by text

By John Twomey

Actress Sienna Miller left the taxpayer with a £10,000 bill yesterday after cancelling a court appearance by text message.

She was due to give evidence for rock singer Bryan Ferry's son, Otis, who is on trial for causing criminal damage.

But the former girlfriend of movie star Jude Law sent a text to Ferry's legal team saying she would not be able to attend the hearing in West London. Miller was in the capital last week but jetted to Mexico City accompanied by her boyfriend, actor Rhys Ifans. It means the case will only be part-heard and another day will have to be found in the busy court schedule.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Treating people like this is an insult – she should not take taxpayers' money for granted." A spokeswoman for Miller said: "She was never intended to be there and is on business overseas. She has provided a witness statement." Ferry, 25, of Eaton, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, is accused of causing £680 of damage to the cars of two photographers outside the Boujis club in Kensington in February.

He denies two counts of criminal damage. The case continues.