News Digest

Former pop star Gary Glitter sentenced to 16 years in prison for sex offences

Former glam rocker Gary Glitter has been jailed for 16 years after being found guilty of historic sex attacks on three schoolgirls. The 70-year-old, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was convicted of having sex with a 12-year-old girl. The disgraced singer was also found guilty on one count of attempted rape and four counts of indecent assault. Another of his victims included a girl who was less than 10 years old when he crept into her bed and tried to rape her in 1975.

Paul Gadd has shown himself to be a habitual sexual predator, who took advantage of the star status afforded to him by targeting young girls who trusted him and were in awe of his fame.

Michael Orchard Detective Chief Inspector of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command

Glitter, who denied all the charges, also indecently assaulted a 13-year-old. He showed no reaction as his sentence was handed down and he was led from the dock. As he arrived in court, he waved at two friends in the public gallery. The former chart topper was at the height of his fame when he preyed on the youngsters but Glitter’s lawyer told the court their client is “a very different man now”. However, Judge Alistair McCreath, who remanded him in custody after the verdicts last month, told him his offences were “truly appalling” and he had done his victims “real and lasting damage.”