Jackson treated his children as 'possessions' - ex-wife

Michael Jackson's ex-wife told police the pop star was a "sociopath" who treated his children as possessions, his child molestation trial heard today.

Sergeant Steve Robel, was called as a prosecution witness to impeach the testimony of Debbie Rowe.

He told Santa Maria court, California, she had also told him of a "plan" the pair had concocted which barred her from speaking negatively about the singer in public.

Rowe, the mother of Jackson's two eldest children, heaped praise on the singer last week, telling jurors he was a "great father and wonderful person" who had been exploited by "opportunistic vultures."

She claimed Jackson had asked her personally to take part in a televised interview to defend him in the wake of Martin Bashir's damaging documentary, but said she was not forced to say specific things.

The testimony turned the tables on prosecutors and proved a huge boost to the defence.

However, Sgt Robel said when he interviewed her last year, Rowe told him statements she made in the February, 2003 interview were not true.

He claimed she had also expressed concerns about Jackson's parenting.

"She referred to Michael as a sociopath and his children as being possessions," he told the court.

Rowe, 46, had told him she and Jackson had made "a plan" following their divorce in 1999.

It involved an agreement for her to "talk positive about Mr Jackson" in all public statements, he said.

Rowe married Jackson in 1996 and gave birth to Prince Michael and Paris before they divorced three years later.

She never lived with the singer and is now embroiled in a bitter custody battle, having forfeited her parental rights when they split.

Jackson denies all ten counts against him. The trial continues.