British prince's ex-partner denies 'painting theft'

Koo Stark, the former girlfriend of Britain's Prince Andrew, appeared in court Friday to deny stealing a painting from a former partner. Stark, 56, an actress, photographer and artist who dated Andrew in the early 1980s, appeared at London's Isleworth Crown Court, where she spoke only to confirm her name and deny a charge of theft. Prosecutors allege she stole the Anthonie van Borssom oil painting from the flat of her former partner Warren Walker, father of her daughter Tatiana. The £40,000 ($65,000, 50,000 euro) artwork depicts a moonlit coastal landscape. The trial, which is expected to last up to four days, will begin on June 17 next year. Stark dated Andrew for 18 months after his return from serving in the 1982 Falklands War. Queen Elizabeth II's second son went on to marry Sarah Ferguson in 1986.