Gary Glitter pleads not guilty to historical sex offence charges

Gary Glitter, whose legal name is Paul Gadd, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to eight counts of historical sexual abuse involving a girl who was between eight and eleven years old at the time of the alleged offences. The charges relate to incidents said to have occurred between March 12, 1978 and December 31, 1981, when Gadd allegedly gave the child cocoa and invited her to his residence in Kensington and Chelsea, west London. Prosecutors allege he caused the girl to touch his genitals and engaged in unlawful sexual intercourse with her. Appearing via video link from prison at Southwark Crown Court, Gadd confirmed his identity before folding his arms and denying each of the eight counts. He told the court he was “absolutely not guilty” of two of the charges and repeated “not guilty” for the remaining six. Specifically, he denies four counts of indecent assault on a girl under thirteen, two counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under thirteen, and two counts of indecency with a child under thirteen. All charges pertain to the same complainant. Gadd, aged 82, was dressed in a blue hat, a blue top and a navy jacket, and sat beside a member of his legal team during the link‑up. Judge Tony Baumgartner adjourned the matter, setting a three‑week trial to commence on November 22, 2027. The allegations were first brought to the attention of the Metropolitan Police on January 9, 2025, prompting an investigation. Gadd was initially interviewed by officers on July 22, 2024. The force said in July that the alleged victim was receiving support from specialist officers and had been informed that Glitter had been charged. During the 1970s, Paul Gadd, performing as Gary Glitter, achieved a succession of number‑one singles and was among the era’s biggest pop stars.