Gary Glitter has appeared in court over a historical sex offence charge dating back to 1978.
The disgraced entertainer and convicted pedophile was charged with the offence last July. Glitter (real name Paul Gadd) was accused of one count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13, and three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 (via BBC News).
Now, Gadd has denied the charges while appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday August 5).
Gadd appeared via video link from HMP Channings Wood in Devon, where he is currently being held. He was remanded in custody (via BBC) and instructed to appear at the Old Bailey in London on September 2, either in person or via video. Gadd then confirmed his name and date of birth.
Throughout the hearing, the court heard how Gadd denied the allegations against him, adding that he did not know the complainant.
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC also told the court that in one instance, the offences took place between 1978 and 1981 when the accuser was eight to 11-years-old. Glitter reportedly lived nearby the girl, where he allegedly groomed her by giving her chocolate and inviting her inside his house.
Gadd was one of the UK’s biggest musicians throughout the 1970s, but was arrested in 2012 while police were conducting an investigation into Jimmy Savile’s abuse claims.
He was later arrested over eight sex offence charges involving girls aged between 12 and 14 in 2014. Though he denied the allegations, he was found guilty on several counts and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Though he was freed from jail after serving half his sentence in 2023, he landed back behind bars one month later after allegedly viewing downloaded images of children.
For more help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
