Polanski case back in court

ROMAN Polanski’s long-delayed criminal case will return to an LA court today for a hearing.

Judge Peter Espinoza will convene a hearing on the film director’s child sex case, which dates back to 1977. The appeal court, however, suggested the case could end quickly if Polanski’s lawyers agreed to sentencing in absentia or he dropped his opposition to being extradited to the US.

The 76-year-old, who is under house arrest at his Swiss chalet, was arrested in late September on a fugitive warrant.

Polanski was initially accused of raping a 13-year-old girl after plying her with champagne and a Quaalude pill during a modelling photoshoot in 1977.

He was indicted on six felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, child molestation and sodomy, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.

He fled to his native France on the eve of sentencing in 1978.