The older brother of Britpop icons Noel and Liam Gallagher has appeared before a judge to face a series of serious sexual offence allegations. Paul Gallagher, 58, stood in the dock at Manchester Crown Court on charges that include rape and engaging in violent sexual activity without consent.
Dressed in a grey tracksuit, Gallagher spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the short hearing. The charges stem from an alleged incident involving a single female complainant.
The case has sent shockwaves through the music world, given the defendant's relation to two of Manchester's most famous musical exports. The Gallagher name is synonymous with the city's cultural heyday in the 1990s, making these proceedings particularly jarring for fans worldwide.
The specific charges put to Gallagher are:
- One count of rape
- One count of assault by penetration
- One count of engaging in sexual activity without consent
Prosecutors did not request a plea during this initial hearing. The magistrate, Ms. Sarah Johnston, remanded Gallagher on conditional bail until a further court date next month. The conditions of his bail have not been disclosed to the public.
The case is now proceeding to a plea and trial preparation hearing, scheduled for October 17th at the same court. This next stage will determine how Gallagher intends to respond to the allegations and set the course for a potential trial.
