Ex-pop star Glitter – whose real name is Paul Gadd – has appeared at court charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14
Former pop star Gary Glitter allegedly abused a girl for three years starting when she was eight years old in 1978, a court has heard.Glitter, 82, is said to have given the youngster chocolate and allegedly repeatedly abused her at his home in Kensington, West London.
Glitter – whose real name is Paul Gadd – appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon via a videolink from HMP Channings Wood, Devon.He is charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 between 1978 and 1981.Wearing a cap over his bald head, a blue shirt and jeans and sporting a goatee beard, Glitter was first asked to confirm his name and date of birth during the short hearing.
He 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 then gave his name as Paul Gadd, spelling out his surname.
Glitter remained seated, occasionally tapping his fingers on the table, or holding his hand to his hearing aid as he strained to follow proceedings.He added: “Sorry, your honour, may I make a suggestion? If the barrister turns the volume down a little bit, it wouldn’t be so distorting in my hearing aids.”
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC told the court that the complainant, now in her mid-50’s, came forward to police in January last year.Mr Polnay said the defendant came to know her and invited her to his house where he allegedly “committed serious sexual offences” between 1978 and 1981. He added: “He would give her chocolate and this would continue over a period.”