So, the trial of former glam rock star Gary Glitter has kicked off in Vietnam. Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, is accused, of course, of committing 'obscene acts', including kissing, fondling and other physical acts, with a 10 and 11-year-old girl at his home in the Vietnamese city of Vung Tau last year. Gadd denies all charges and said just one word as he walked through the media pack outside the court this morning - "innocent". As previously reported, the trial is closed to the public, though the verdict, expected as soon as tomorrow, will be read publicly.
Certain statements from Vietnamese officials, and the planned speed of the trial, possibly suggest things don't bode well for the former singer. Even his lawyer, Le Thanh Kinh, wasn't sounding particularly optimistic yesterday. He told reporters "he says he has not committed any crime - I will do my best to defend him", but added that doing so was going to be "very difficult".
Gadd says he was teaching the girls in question English when the alleged incidents occurred, and insists that he never behaved indecently with them, considering them to be "like his grandchildren". Gadd has been in police custody ever since his arrest last November.