Pop star chooses not to give evidence in defence of claims

BOY GEORGE chose not to give evidence yesterday in defence of allegations that he handcuffed a male escort to his bed and threatened him.

The 46-year-old pop star’s defence counsel informed a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court, in east London, that Boy George — who is on trial under his real name of George O’Dowd — will not give evidence.

O’Dowd denies falsely imprisoning Audun Carlsen, 29, at his home in Shoreditch, east London, on April 28 last year.

The singer allegedly invited the Norwegian to his flat for a second time because he suspected him of stealing photos from his computer.

The pictures were taken during a naked photo shoot, for which O’Dowd had hired Mr Carlsen three months earlier, the court has heard.

As the defence case began yesterday, Judge David Radford asked Adrian Waterman QC: “Have you explained to your client the time has come when, if he chooses not to give evidence or refuses to give evidence while sworn under oath, a jury may draw such inferences as appear proper by his failure to do so?”

Mr Waterman replied that he had done so.

The judge than asked if O’Dowd was being called to give evidence. Mr Waterman said: “No.”

The jury was also shown photos of injuries Mr Carlsen alleged he suffered at O’Dowd’s flat on April 28 last year. Home Office pathologist Dr Ashley Fegan-Earl told the court some of the injuries and marks might have been caused by bondage-type equipment found at the flat.

The trial was adjourned until 10.30am today when closing speeches will begin.