Glitter Trial Set For March

LATEST: Disgraced British rocker Gary Glitter will stand trial in Vietnam in March (06) for allegedly committing obscene acts against two children.

It was previously announced the singer, real name Paul Francis Gadd, would appear before courts at the end of this month (FEB06) but the head of the Vietnamese provincial people's court has today (20FEB06) confirmed a new date.

NGUYEN VAN CO said, "The trial will be held in early March. We will set the date for the trial in the next day or two."

He also hinted the trial may close its doors to the public due to the young age of the main witnesses.

Van Co added, "This case seriously violates Vietnamese habits and customs and the families of the two victims have asked for a closed trial."

However, he confirmed both the verdict and sentencing would be open to the public.

Glitter is accused of kissing and engaging in other physical acts with two girls aged 10 and 11 at his residence in Vung Tau.

Charges of child rape, which carries the death penalty in the south east Asian country, have been dropped, but the flamboyant singer can still expect a sentence of between three and seven years in prison if found guilty.