Cameras barred from Bryant trial

Bryant is one of the top-earning players in American basketball

The judge in rape case against US basketball star Kobe Bryant has limited the presence of television cameras to the trial's closing arguments.

He said he concerned about witnesses being intimidated in the high-profile case, which is set to begin on Friday.

Mr Bryant, 26, is accused of raping a 19-year-old worker at a Colorado hotel where he was staying last year.

The Los Angeles Lakers star has admitted having sex with the woman but says it was consensual.

District Judge Terry Ruckriegle said still photography would only be allowed during opening statements and closing arguments.

Lawyers for a number of news organisations had asked to be allowed to photograph and videotape the entire trial, which is to take place in Eagle, Colorado.

Lawyers for the alleged victim joined defence lawyers in opposing the request.

Civil case

Mr Bryant denies raping the woman, now 20, on 30 June 2003.

His legal team say she is a fantasist, and claim she had sex with a number of different people in the days around her encounter with Mr Bryant, including with someone between the alleged attack and her reporting it to the authorities.

The woman's legal team has strongly denied that.

If convicted of sexually assaulting the woman in the criminal trial, Mr Bryant could face life in prison as well as fines of up to $750,000.

Mr Bryant, who is married and a father, has reportedly just signed a new seven-year contract with the Lakers worth $136m.

The woman accusing Mr Bryant has also filed a civil case against him.

A civil case has a lower burden of proof than a criminal case, and cannot be punished by a jail term.

Her attorneys requested a jury trial and compensatory damages of at least $75,000. They also said they would press for punitive damages, with the amount to be determined later.

Last month the judge in the criminal case ruled that details of the alleged victim's sex life could be brought up in court.