Judge: Jackson bail will not be reduced

The judge overseeing Michael Jackson's child molestation trial has refused to lower the $3m (€2.48m) bail the superstar has been forced to post.

Judge Rodney Melville was pressed to bring down the amount by lawyers defending the singer against ten charges relating to his relationship with teenage cancer sufferer Gavin Arvizo.

But, in a written ruling, Judge Melville dismissed the plea and cited Jackson's vast wealth and an alleged plot to move the Arvizo family to Brazil as his reasons.

Jackson is accused of trying to take the family to South American "against their will".

He wrote, in relation to the alleged Brazil plan, "Assuming this evidence to be true, it demonstrates both the seriousness of the crime and the manner in which defendant handles situations perceived to be difficult.

"No amount less than $3m would provide a financial incentive to return and appear for hearings and trial".

Jackson, 45, is due to stand trial on the charges in January.