Former pop star Gary Glitter appeared in court via video link on Monday afternoon, facing charges of unlawful sexual intercourse and indecent assault against a girl under 13, with alleged abuse starting in 1978.
Charges and allegations
Glitter, 82, whose real name is Paul Gadd, is charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, allegedly committed between 1978 and 1981.
The court heard that Glitter allegedly abused the girl for three years, starting when she was eight years old. He is said to have given her chocolate and repeatedly abused her at his home in Kensington, West London.
Court appearance
Appearing via video link from HMP Channings Wood in Devon, Glitter wore a cap over his bald head, a blue shirt, jeans, and a goatee beard. During the short hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, he initially remained silent, appearing not to hear, until a prison guard repeated the question.
Glitter then responded: "Your honour, excuse me, I'm extremely deaf and unless I'm lip reading I can't hear." He gave his name as Paul Gadd, spelling out his surname.
Prosecution details
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC told the court that the complainant, now in her mid-50s, came forward to police in January last year. The defendant allegedly came to know her and invited her to his house, where he committed "serious sexual offences" between 1978 and 1981. Polnay added: "He would give her chocolate and this would continue over a period."
