Jackson arrives in pyjamas and slippers to face young accuser

MICHAEL JACKSON faced his young accuser in court yesterday wearing slippers and pyjamas after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The pop star caused momentary havoc when he failed to arrive at Santa Maria court, California, having been rushed to hospital with "serious back pain."

Judge Rodney Melville warned he would forfeit Jackson's $3 million (€2.2m) bail unless he got back to court in one hour.

In a dramatic race against the clock, Jackson missed the deadline by several minutes. He looked unkempt and in some distress as he stepped delicately from his car wearing blue pyjama bottoms, slippers and a collarless white shirt.

He was even paler than usual and heavily made up as he walked slowly into the court under his trademark umbrella.

But, once inside, Judge Melville chose not to take further action and it was business as usual as court resumed 90 minutes late.

As the jury walked in, Jackson had to be helped up by bodyguards.

His 15-year-old accuser Gavin Arvizo stared at the singer incredulously.

Back on the stand for a second day, Gavin described how Jackson had suggested they hold hands on British journalist Martin Bashir's documentary.

"I was really close to Michael and he was like my best friend. I just put my head on his shoulder," he said.

Gavin claimed Jackson had invited him to Miami so they could be together to hold a news conference to respond to the documentary, which aired in February 2003.

During the flight Jackson gave him wine, which he called "Jesus juice", in a Diet Coke can and said it would help him relax, he said. When they left Miami, Jackson gave Gavin a jacket and gave him a watch.

"He told me not to tell anyone about the Jesus juice. He said that this is a symbol that we will be friends together," he told the court.

Gavin said he drank alcohol every time he was with Jackson, despite warning him he only had one kidney as a result of his cancer.

The furore surrounding Jackson's late arrival was just the latest in a series of unusual twists in his child molestation case. The court operates a strict time policy

Jackson was warned about time keeping on his first appearance in court last year.

After arriving 20 minutes late he was admonished by Judge Melville, who branded it an "insult to the court." Two weeks ago he failed to appear at the court after being rushed to hospital with the flu.

Jackson's spokeswoman Raymone Bain stressed that the singer had not been play acting and that his back just "gave out on him." She insisted he had not been intimidated by the appearance of Gavin Arvizo.

"He is wanting to be in court every day. This is about his life. This is not a joke to him."

Jackson, 46, denies molesting Gavin, then aged 13, plying him with alcohol and conspiring to hold him and his family captive.

The trial continues.