Jurors shown Ryder's 'shoplifted' merchandise

Jurors hearing Winona Ryder’s shoplifting trial have been shown designer tops bearing holes where the actress allegedly cut off security tags during her ill-fated pre-Christmas shopping expedition.

Prosecutors claim the star used her own scissors to snip sensor tags off designer merchandise while in a changing room at exclusive department store Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills.

The trial continues today when Ryder’s lawyer Mark Geragos is expected to finish his cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Saks security officer Kenneth Evans.

Yesterday Mr Evans, a veteran asset protection manager at the store, gave a running commentary as Ryder marked her 31st birthday by watching a surveillance videotape of her shopping spree on December 12 last year.

The court at Beverly Hills was shown a 90-minute recording of Ryder’s visit to Saks during which she is seen walking around the store laden down with shopping bags and merchandise.

Ryder, wearing a chocolate brown top and skirt, watched intently as prosecutor Ann Rundle also showed the jury at Beverly Hills Superior Court several damaged items including two designer tops with holes in them.

According to Mr Evans, the holes were “consistent with where a sensor tag would be”.

Ryder was arrested after leaving the store and charged with stealing several thousand pounds worth of designer merchandise including tops, a Gucci dress, hats and handbags.

The star of such films as Little Women and Girl Interrupted, denies charges of grand theft, burglary and vandalism, and could be sentenced to three years in prison if convicted.

The prosecution alleges that during her shopping expedition, she bought a total of four items but stole a further 20 worth more than €6,000.

The videotape showed Ryder carrying a red Saks shopping bag which she was given when she bought a pair of Gucci shoes shortly after she arrived in the store.

Mr Evans pointed out to the jury that when Ryder later came out of a store changing room, the red bag was “significantly larger” than it was when she went in.

Prosecutors claim Ryder placed stolen items in that bag after snipping sensor tags off the merchandise.

Mr Evans claimed he later found several sensor tags in the pocket of a coat in a section of the store visited by Ryder during her December 12 shopping spree.

The video also shows Ryder walking past several open cash registers before leaving the store.

Once outside, she is apprehended by several Saks security guards and brought back into the shop.

Ms Rundle asked Mr Evans if there was any system in place at Saks whereby Ryder could have been given permission to take goods out of the store without paying for them.

Mr Evans told the court: “She had no permission to take any of the items out other than the items listed on the receipts.”

The receipts, which were shown to the court, indicate that Ryder paid for four items – the Gucci shoes, a Dolce & Gabbana bomber jacket, and two Yves Saint Laurent tops.

The trial continues.