Jackson 'forced imprisoned boy to withdraw claims'

POP superstar Michael Jackson enticed a young boy, then imprisoned him and his family at his Neverland Ranch and forced them to make a video absolving him of molestation claims, a prosecutor said yesterday.

The fiery court presentation by Deputy District Attorney Gordon Auchincloss disclosed for the first time the prosecution's theory of its conspiracy case against Jackson, claiming he panicked after a TV show threatened to destroy his career by linking him with an obsession with young boys.

Mr Auchincloss made his allegation at a hearing in Santa Maria, California, to hear a defence motion to dismiss the case.