Former pop star Gary Glitter is accused of sexually abusing a young girl over a three-year period, starting when she was eight years old in 1978, as disclosed in court. Glitter, 82, whose real name is Paul Gadd, allegedly provided the girl with chocolate and engaged in repeated abuse at his residence in Kensington, West London.
Appearing via videolink from HMP Channings Wood, Devon, Glitter faced charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 between 1978 and 1981 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. During the brief hearing, he donned a cap, a blue shirt, jeans, and a goatee beard, and was asked to confirm his identity and date of birth.
Initially silent due to his hearing impairment, Glitter eventually responded by explaining his difficulty in hearing unless lip-reading. He identified himself as Paul Gadd after spelling out his surname.
Throughout the proceedings, Glitter, seated and occasionally tapping his fingers on the table, struggled to follow the dialogue, suggesting the barrister lower the volume for his hearing aids to reduce distortion.
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC informed the court that the complainant, now in her mid-50s, reported the incidents to the police in January of the previous year. Polnay detailed that Glitter, after befriending the girl, allegedly committed serious sexual offenses at his residence between 1978 and 1981, often offering her chocolate as part of the arrangement.