03/03/2006

Glitter jailed for child abuse

Former glam rock star Gary Glitter has been jailed for three years by a Vietnamese court for molesting two young girls.

The 61-year-old, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was convicted of abusing the two girls - aged 11 and 12 - at his home in the Vung Tau resort.

He was also ordered to pay compensation of five million Vietnamese dong (£180) to the victims' families.

After the verdict was announced, Glitter told reporters that he was innocent and had been the victim of a media conspiracy.

However, the three-year sentence is the minimum that can be imposed for sexual abuse of a minor in Vietnam.

Rape charges, which carry a maximum sentence of death by firing squad, were dropped against the singer after he made compensation payments to the families of the girls.

Glitter could be released as early as Christmas. Upon his release he will be deported and is expected to return to Britain.

He has 15 days to appeal the sentence, but his lawyer said that he had not decided whether or not to launch an appeal.

Glitter was convicted of possessing child pornography in Britain in 1999 and served half of a four-month sentence. Following his release, Glitter went to Cambodia, but was expelled from the country in 2002. He had been held in jail for three nights over suspected sex offences, but was never convicted of any crime.

(KMcA/GB)


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