Glitter questioned by Cambodian authorities

Cambodian police have questioned paedophile pop star Gary Glitter after it was revealed he was living in the capital, Phnom Penh.

Glitter, 57, was questioned on ‘‘administrative matters’’ after police were tipped off about his 1999 conviction in Britain for downloading illegal pornographic images of children, said Lieutenant Colonel Pol Pithey, the city’s immigration police chief.

The fallen star is on the sex offender’s register in Britain under his real name of Paul Francis Gadd.

He served half of a four-month sentence before being released, after which he lived for several months in Cuba.

Pol Pithey emphasised there was no evidence that Glitter, who rose to fame with a glam-rock act in the 1970s, had committed any crimes in Cambodia.

‘‘At the moment we are examining his residency status,’’ Pol Pithey said. ‘‘He has been living here for nearly six months but has not yet registered with local authorities.’’

He said Glitter, who has sold 18 million records over the course of 25 years, will not be told to leave unless he breaks the law.

Phnom Penh is notorious for prostitution and has gained a reputation as a centre for paedophilia.

British Ambassador Stephen Bridges said today the embassy was aware of Glitter’s presence but that Cambodian authorities alone would have to decide if he’s allowed to remain here.

Only two people have ever been convicted of paedophile offences in Cambodia, both British citizens.

English-language teacher John Keeler, 57, from Manchester, is serving a three year sentence handed down in November 2000 for debauchery.

Keeler had made a video of girls younger than 10 exposing themselves in a public park.

Keeler admitted his guilt and apologised during his sentencing but had a fit of rage when the sentence was announced, saying he had paid more than £3,500 to court officials for protection.

The other, a doctor, was released in 1995 after serving six months for allegedly engaging in sexual activities with boys.

The age of consent in Cambodia is 15. The doctor said he was a target of homophobia.