Glitter get three years for molesting children
Glitter, 61, whose real name is Paul Francis Gadd, was found guilty of committing obscene acts with 10 and 11-year-old girls at his rented villa in the resort of Vung Tau last year.
The judge said Glitter would be deported back to Britain after serving his sentence. He has to pay compensation of five million dong (€270) to each girl’s family and court fees.
In its verdict, the court cited graphic testimony from the girls that Glitter had fondled and molested them multiple times in his villa and in nearby hotels.
One said he had ejaculated on her stomach, while the other girl said he had her urinate on him.
In reading out the verdict, Judge Hoang Thanh Tung condemned Glitter for paedophilia.
“Caring for children is to care for our future ... but Gary Glitter’s acts went against this. He sexually abused and committed obscene acts with children many times in a disgusting and sick manner.”
The former glam rocker showed no emotion while the verdict was read, but threw the court into disarray by proclaiming his innocence.
“I haven’t done anything. I’m innocent. It’s a conspiracy by you know who,” he shouted, apparently referring to British tabloids that had tracked down his presence in Vietnam.
Police had to fend off reporters and onlookers as they escorted Glitter out of the building.
Glitter, who could have received up to seven years in prison, was given the minimum sentence of three years. The judge explained that among the factors contributing to the lighter sentence was the $2,000 (e1,670) Glitter paid to each girl’s family as “compensation” in December.
He has 15 days to appeal against his sentence.
His lawyer, Le Thanh Kinh, said Glitter would be eligible for parole after serving one-third of his sentence. The time he has already spent in prison would count toward that period, so he would be eligible in November.
Glitter, a 1970s pop icon famed for his sequinned jump-suits, platform heels and bouffant wigs, sported black clothes and a red bandanna that he removed inside the court.
Glitter has been held at Phuoc Co prison outside Vung Tau since November 19, when he was caught at Ho Chi Minh City airport trying to board a flight for Bangkok. Police confiscated his laptop computer, which had thousands of pornographic pictures on it.
Although he will be deported, it is not guaranteed he will return to Britain.
In November 1999, Glitter was jailed for four months and placed on the sex offenders register in Britain for seven years after admitting possessing a collection of 4,000 hardcore photographs of children being abused.
That seven-year term is due to expire early next year.
Glitter’s conviction in Vietnam means he could not be prosecuted on the same charges in Britain.
But if new evidence came to light, he could face charges under the Sex Offences Act 2003, which covers “sex tourism” abroad.
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