Jackson linked to seven more boys

Mark Sage, New York

Prosecutors want jurors in California to hear evidence Jackson was in some way sexually involved with the youngsters.

Among them is a boy who received a multi-million euro pay-out in 1993 after making similar allegations to the latest accuser, a 14-year-old cancer survivor.

Jackson, 46, has pleaded not guilty to committing a lewd act upon a child, administering an intoxicating agent and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. He has called the allegations a "big lie."

The seven other boys have been linked to Jackson in press reports or have made public or private accusations, according to ABC News.

Prosecutors in Santa Barbara will today try to convince superior court Judge Rodney Melville to allow the jury to hear claims of Jackson's alleged past offences.

Although Jackson has never been charged in connection with the crimes, California law allows their claims to be entered as evidence.

The prosecutors will argue that the additional complaints show that Jackson has followed a pattern of behaviour in his alleged crimes.

Jackson's defence team however, has insisted that the allegations are false and argued that the claims will prevent the singer from receiving a fair trial.

The most high-profile of the other seven boys who have made allegations against Jackson is one who received a E15m pay-out in 1993. Jackson always denied he molested the teenager.