Following yesterday's report that Gary Glitter, aka Paul Gadd, is to be tried by a Vietnamese court on 2 Mar, the former glam-rocker's lawyer has revealed that his client will plead not guilty to the child abuse charges being brought against him and will stick by his previous claim that he was helping the girls to learn English. Le Thanh Kinh said yesterday: "Up until now my client still rejects all the accusations by the provincial Prosecution Institute".
As previously reported, cameramen and photographers, as well as members of the public will be barred from the trial because there are minors involved, but the verdict, expected on 3 Mar, will be open to the public. A court official explained: "The reason we have the verdict announcement open to the public is that it will serve as an example to warn others never to commit the same crime." Which is a loaded statement if ever I read one.