Gary Glitter's Vietnam sex trial in March
HANOI (AFP) - Former British rock star
Gary Glitter's trial in Vietnam for obscene acts with children will be held behind closed doors on March 2 and 3.
"This will be a two-day trial that will take place behind closed doors," said Hoang Thanh Tung, a judicial official from the court in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau where the 61-year-old will be tried.
Glitter, whose real name is Paul Francis Gadd, is charged with committing obscene acts with two children aged 11 and 12.
Prosecutors first sought charges of child rape, which could have carried the death penalty, but reduced them -- reportedly for lack of evidence.
"In addition to a sentence for obscene acts with children, Glitter could also be sentenced to deportation after serving his term," his lawyer Le Thanh Kinh said recently.
Glitter has paid a total of 4,000 dollars to the families of the two Vietnamese girls.
Dozens of media organisations are expected to descend on Vung Tau city for the trial of the Briton, who has been under custody in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau since his arrest in Ho Chi Minh City in November.
Glitter, famous for his outlandish outfits and a bouffant wig, previously served prison time in Britain after being found with a massive collection of child pornography.
Agence France Presse - February 20, 2006.
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