Gary Glitter charged with 1970s child sex offences in Kensington and Chelsea

Gary Glitter, the 82-year-old former pop star, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 August charged with four sexual offences against a girl. The alleged crimes took place between 1978 and 1981, when the complainant was aged between eight and eleven. The offences are said to have occurred at Glitter’s home in Kensington and Chelsea.

Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC told the court the charges include unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14. Polnay said Glitter would give the girl chocolate and invite her into his home, where the alleged offences took place. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the allegations were first reported on 9 January 2025.

Court appearance and custody decision

Glitter appeared via videolink from custody, wearing a blue shirt, glasses and a cap. He told Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring he was severely deaf and struggled to hear proceedings. Glitter asked if the volume could be adjusted to reduce distortion in his hearing aids. The magistrate remanded him in custody and set the next hearing for 2 September at the Old Bailey.

Goldspring explained that one charge could only be heard in the Crown Court. The other three, he said, were related because they involved the same complainant. All four charges will be sent to the Old Bailey. It remains unclear whether Glitter will appear in person or via videolink at the next hearing.

Police investigation timeline

The Metropolitan Police said the allegations were first reported on 9 January 2025. Glitter was interviewed under caution on 22 July 2025. The force did not disclose further details about the investigation. The court heard no evidence during the 5 August hearing, which was a procedural appearance to set the case for trial.

Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, rose to fame in the early 1970s with hits including *Rock And Roll (Parts One And Two)* and *I’m The Leader Of The Gang (I Am)*. His last UK top 40 single was *Another Rock And Roll Christmas* in 1984. The court did not address his previous convictions or career during the hearing.

What happens next

Glitter will appear at the Old Bailey on 2 September 2026. The court will decide whether he attends in person or via videolink. The case will then proceed to trial, though no date has been set. The complainant cannot be identified for legal reasons, and the court has imposed reporting restrictions to protect her identity.