Gary Glitter pleads not guilty to eight historic abuse charges

Former glam rock singer Gary Glitter has pleaded not guilty to eight historic sexual abuse charges relating to allegations involving a young girl more than four decades ago.

The disgraced musician, whose real name is Paul Gadd, appeared before Southwark Crown Court via videolink, where he formally denied all eight allegations. The charges relate to alleged offences said to have taken place between 1978 and 1981.

According to the prosecution, the alleged abuse involved a girl who was between eight and 11 years old at the time. Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC told the court that the incidents were allegedly carried out at properties connected to Glitter in Kensington and Chelsea.

The case concerns allegations dating back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, a period when Glitter was a well-known figure in the British music industry. He became one of the most recognisable performers of the glam rock era, enjoying considerable commercial success and widespread popularity.

Glitter, now 82, is currently serving a prison sentence at HMP Channings Wood in Devon as a result of previous convictions. His latest appearance in court comes while he remains behind bars.

The court was told that the historic allegations are expected to proceed to a full trial. Proceedings are scheduled to begin during the week commencing November 22, 2027.

Glitter is currently serving a sentence that is expected to expire in February 2031. By that time, he would be almost 87 years old.

The singer has a lengthy criminal history. He was first imprisoned in 1999 after being convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material. His conviction marked a dramatic fall from his earlier career as a major pop and rock performer.

Glitter was later convicted in the United Kingdom in 2015 and received a 16-year prison sentence for a series of child sexual offences. He was subsequently released on licence in February 2023 after serving part of that sentence.

The new charges concern alleged offences that are separate from the convictions for which he is currently incarcerated. As with any criminal case, the allegations have not been proven, and Glitter is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted following trial.

The latest court proceedings add another chapter to the long-running legal history surrounding the former performer. His career, once associated with flamboyant stage performances and glam rock success, has been overshadowed for decades by criminal investigations, convictions and allegations of sexual abuse.

The prosecution will now prepare its case ahead of the scheduled 2027 trial, where the allegations will be examined in detail. Glitter will have the opportunity to contest the evidence against him and present his defence before the court.

For now, the former singer remains in custody while awaiting the next stages of the legal proceedings. His not-guilty pleas mean the allegations will ultimately have to be determined through the court process.

The trial, when it begins in November 2027, is expected to revisit events alleged to have occurred more than 45 years earlier and will determine whether the prosecution can establish the charges against Glitter beyond reasonable doubt.