In her federal lawsuit filed last week, Sara Robinson said she was working in the resort's Cuba Libre bar in March 2006 when Rodman, a hotel guest, began "making a scene" by trying to climb atop the bar after failing to gain her full attention.

"As Robinson stepped around the bar, Rodman grabbed her, pulled her towards him and rubbed his body against hers," the lawsuit alleges. "Robinson tried to get free from Rodman's grasp at which time he assaulted her by reaching down and slapping her open-handed on the bottom." The document accuses Rodman of assault and battery.

Dennis the menace

Former Chicago Bulls star Rodman is no stranger to Las Vegas lawsuits. In 2001, a state jury awarded casino craps dealer James Brasich $80,000 in a case against him. Brasich said that Rodman humiliated him by rubbing dice on his head, chest, stomach and genitals – presumably for good luck – during an October 1997 craps game.

Despite his glittering sporting career, Rodman is probably best known in the UK for publicity stunts and reality TV appearances. He famously dated Madonna and was briefly married to former Baywatch star Carmen Electra. He once launched his autobiography by turning up at a press conference in a wedding dress claiming he had married himself!

Rodman starred in the 2006 series of Celebrity Big Brother alongside Jodie Marsh, Traci Bingham and Chantelle Houghton. Although uncommunicative for long periods of the show, he did memorably claim to have slept with 2,000 women and flirt with Fariah Alam before he was evicted. Six months later, he appeared in ITV flop Celebrity Love Island but walked off the show after 4 days.