‘Sheets saved girl from Glitter rape’
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Troubling … one-time British glam rocker Gary Glitter has gone on trial on charges he sexually abused three underage female fans in the 1970s and 1980s. Picture: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis
Source: AP
ONE-TIME glam rock singer Gary Glitter crept into a schoolgirl’s bed and tried to rape her at the height of his fame, a London court has heard.
The youngster only avoided being raped because she fell into a protective “cocoon” of sheets and blankets, before fleeing when the drunken pop star fell asleep, jurors were told.
John Price QC, opening the case for the prosecution at Southwark Crown Court, said that 70-year-old Glitter — real name Paul Gadd — had tried to force himself on the girl in the mid-1970s.
“She only managed to prevent him from succeeding by moving away from him in the bed until she had moved so far, they she remembers she fell into the ‘envelope’ or ‘cocoon’ formed at the edge of the bed by the fact that the covers and blankets had been tucked beneath the mattress,” he said.
CHARGED: Gary Glitter charged with underage sex offences
On trial … British pop star Gary Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Dunham
Source: AP
The woman, who was aged under 10 at the time and cannot be identified for legal reasons, claims that after the attack Glitter fell asleep. She then ran into a bathroom to try and clean herself, the court heard.
It is alleged that the day after the attack, Glitter acted as if nothing had happened and gave the girl chocolate.
“The next day Mr Gadd behaved entirely as normal. Nothing was said (to her) about what had happened,” Price said.
The alleged victim only came forward 20 years after the incident when she saw Gadd had admitted in 1999 to child pornography charges. Illicit images were allegedly found on a laptop he had put in for repair.
Charged … Gary Glitter faces 10 counts including attempted rape, indecent assault and unlawful intercourse. Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images
He is also accused of molesting two young fans that he first met in his dressing room after a concert that their mothers had taken them to in 1977. One of the girls was 12 years old at the time.
The prosecution alleges that Gadd had sex with one of the two on another occasion when she was 13 years old and after he had plied her with champagne.
The hearing-impaired singer followed proceedings with the help of lip-reading interpreters.
Gary Glitter at Tullamarine Airport in 1975. Picture: Mike Arthur
Source: News Limited
British singer Gary Glitter was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Picture: Supplied
Source: News Limited
Glitter, from Marylebone in central London, is on trial on charges he sexually abused three underage female fans in the 1970s and 1980s.
He denies seven counts of indecent assault, one count of attempted rape, and two other sexual offences.
Gadd shot to fame in the 1970s and had over 20 hit singles like I’m the Leader of the Gang (I am), I Love You Love Me Love and Always Yours.
Singer … Gary Glitter, from Marylebone in central London, pictured in 1997. Picture: Supplied
Source: AP
