Former pop star charged with sexual offences dating back to ’70s, ’80s

British pop star Gary Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

LONDON -- British prosecutors on Thursday charged former U.K. pop star Paul Gadd, better known by his stage name Gary Glitter, with unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13 and three counts of indecent assault on a girl aged under 14.

The charges were linked to alleged sexual offences against a child dating back to 1978, the Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement

“This follows allegations made by a woman relating to a period of alleged abuse that took place between 1978 and 1981,” Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Bethan David said.

The 82-year-old shot to fame in the 1970s as a “glam-rock” star before he was later repeatedly convicted and jailed for child sex crimes.

Gadd is serving a 16-year prison sentence imposed in 2015 after he was convicted of sexually abusing three schoolgirls between 1975 and 1980. He was released on licence in 2023 but recalled to prison weeks later for breaching licence conditions.

He was first jailed in 1999 for possession of child pornography and later moved to Cambodia, but was deported in 2002 due to suspected sex offences.

In 2006, a Vietnamese court convicted him of committing obscene acts with two girls aged 10 and 11 and sentenced him to four years in jail. On his release he returned to Britain.

Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; writing by Muvija M; editing by William James, Reuters

Resources for sexual assault survivors in Canada

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
• The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling. 
• The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: [phone] or [phone] (24/7)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: [phone] (24/7)
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] (24/7)
• Trans Lifeline: [phone]
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: [phone]
• Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.