Cuba Gooding Jr pleads not guilty to groping woman in New York bar

Jerry Maguire star turned himself into police following allegation

Cuba Gooding Jr handed himself over to police after the allegation came to light (Getty Images)

Cuba Gooding Jr has pleaded not guilty after being charged with forcible touching for allegedly groping a woman in New York.

The Oscar-winning Jerry Maguire actor, 51, turned himself into the police and was arraigned shortly after.

He was led into the courtroom by a pair of detectives and smiled for cameras as his lawyer, Mark Heller, stated security video will exonerate the actor.

“Mr Gooding has not acted inappropriately in any shape or form,” lawyer Mark Heller said.

“Nothing in the video could even be considered ambiguous, and I frankly am shocked and horrified that this case is being prosecuted,” he added.

A 29-year-old woman told police Gooding grabbed her breast while he was intoxicated on Sunday night at the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge in Manhattan. 

Gooding did not discuss his case as he left court, instead offering well wishes to David Ortiz, the Boston Red Sox star taken to hospital after he was shot Sunday in the Dominican Republic.

“Get well, Big Papi,” Gooding said while passing cameras and reporters in the courthouse reception.

Before getting into a car outside, he added: “It’s been a long day.”

Gooding’s next court date is June 26.

Additional reporting by Agencies