Pop star Glitter arrested in British sex abuse probe

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

A file photograph dated 03 March 2006 showing British glam rock star Gary Glitter listening to the verdict as he is convicted in his child molestation case in the provincial courtroom of Ba Ria, 80 kilometers northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. EPA photo

British police on Sunday arrested 1970s glam rocker Gary Glitter on suspicion of sexual offences as they probe a mountain of child sex abuse allegations against late TV star Jimmy Savile.
 
"Officers working on Operation Yewtree have today arrested a man in his 60s in connection with the investigation," a Scotland Yard spokesman said.
 
The man was identified by British media as 68-year-old Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd and who has served a jail term in Vietnam for child sex offences.
 
"The man, from London, was arrested at approximately 7:15 am (0715 GMT) on suspicion of sexual offences, and has been taken into custody at a London police station.
 
"The individual falls under the strand of the investigation we have termed 'Savile and others'." Police investigating alleged child sex abuse by the late BBC star Savile have identified around 300 possible victims, which would make him one of the worst offenders in British history.
 
The claims against Savile have plunged the BBC into crisis and destroyed the reputation of the man who, with his garish tracksuits and ever present cigar, was one of the most famous faces on British television for decades.
 
Savile, who died on October 29 last year aged 84, also single-handedly raised tens of millions of pounds (dollars, euros) for charity.
 
Glitter was convicted in Vietnam in March 2006 of "obscene acts" with two girls aged 11 and 12, and returned to London in August 2008 after his release from prison.
 
Having been turned away from Hong Kong and Thailand, he returned to Britain, where he was ordered to sign the sex offenders register, which requires him to alert police to his whereabouts.
 
Glitter maintained his innocence and said his trial in Vietnam was a sham.
 
The 64-year-old was the king of the over-the-top glam era, complete with extravagant make-up, bouffant wigs, silver jumpsuits and high boots.
 
He sold more then 20 million records and had a string of stomping hits like "I'm The Leader Of The Gang (I Am)" and "Rock and Roll (Parts 1 and 2)."