GARY GLITTER SHOCKING SCANDAL UNFOLDS IN VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA

The notorious British sex offender Gary Glitter, whose real name is Paul Francis Gadd, has a long and troubling history marked by criminal convictions and international bans. Currently listed on the sex offenders’ register, Glitter faces restrictions from 19 countries, reflecting the severity of his past crimes and the global effort to keep him away from potential victims.

His criminal record includes a conviction in Vietnam for sexually assaulting two young girls aged 10 and 11. He was sentenced to three years in prison for these offenses but was deported back to the United Kingdom in 2008 after serving his sentence. Prior to this, in 1999, Glitter was imprisoned in the UK for possessing child abuse images, a conviction that further cemented his reputation as a dangerous offender. Despite these convictions, Glitter is now reportedly free to reside in the UK, raising concerns about ongoing risks.

Photographs and reports reveal Glitter’s residence in Cambodia, specifically in Kandal Province on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. During his time there, he was able to operate with relative impunity, living in secrecy. His proximity to a former Cambodian cultural minister, who reportedly shared similar interests, facilitated a clandestine lifestyle. In 2002, authorities caught him there, prompting British press coverage that led to his quiet expulsion from the country.

However, Glitter’s movements did not end in Cambodia. By late 2005, he was tracked down in the coastal town of Vung Tau, Vietnam. His residence in Vung Tau was discreet, facing the sea, and he habitually avoided using the front entrance, instead arriving on his motorcycle through a side alley. The News of the World had a team in Vung Tau but struggled to locate him until they enlisted the help of a resourceful English informant, who believed he could profit from the scoop.

Using a combination of traditional investigative techniques—knocking on doors, interviewing local motorcycle taxi drivers—the team quickly identified Glitter’s whereabouts. Photographs captured him shopping with one of the older girls who later testified against him. Following this, the reporters tracked him back to his residence, revealing that many expatriates in Vung Tau were aware of his presence but chose not to intervene. Some even reported hearing him sing in local bars, seemingly unbothered by the community’s awareness of his criminal past.

One incident at a bar called the Labyrinth, run by a British man and his Vietnamese wife, escalated into violence. Glitter, known for his flamboyant and provocative behavior, approached a Vietnamese woman with a king prawn tucked down his trunks, leading to a confrontation. During the altercation, the woman stabbed him with a large knife, though the injury was minor—a scratch. I was summoned to the scene, where I observed the aftermath and attempted to de-escalate the situation while preparing to leave Vietnam swiftly. The incident was about to be published in the British press, and I filed the report along with photographs, which were later used by the News of the World.

Despite the urgency, internal conflicts within the newspaper’s editorial team, including arrests of senior staff during Scotland Yard’s Operation Weeting, complicated the coverage. The investigation into phone hacking and other misconduct led to the arrest of editors and executives, including Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson. Nevertheless, the team managed to secure Glitter’s arrest and trial for his crimes against the Vietnamese girls, which garnered significant media attention.

Glitter’s court sentencing in the UK resulted in a three-year prison term, with the court considering compensation paid to the victims’ families. He maintained his innocence, claiming he was the victim of a witch hunt, a sentiment echoed by many who believed the media and society had unfairly targeted him. His notoriety had transformed him into a symbol of British child sex abuse, a reputation that persisted despite his claims of innocence.

In 2008, I personally observed Glitter leaving Vietnam after serving his sentence. He was at the Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, preparing to depart. Our contacts at the Thai authorities had already been alerted, and by the time Glitter’s plane took off, they were waiting at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Glitter was furious and refused to board the flight to London, insisting on alternative destinations. He checked into a transit hotel within the airport terminal, guarded by police, and soon contacted lawyers in Hong Kong, seeking legal advice.

Subsequently, a Child Protection and Online Protection Unit officer from the UK arrived in Bangkok to escort Glitter back to Britain. However, logistical issues arose, as Thai authorities lacked the formalities and powers to detain him. Despite brief conversations, Glitter refused to return voluntarily, and negotiations continued. Eventually, he agreed to fly back to London via Bangkok, where British authorities could take custody of him.

During the flight to Hong Kong, Glitter continued to feign illness and claimed he was seeking medical treatment. His behavior was erratic; he played the part of a confused old man, cupping his ears and shaking his head. He insisted on VIP treatment, expecting private transport and a special reception, but upon arrival in Hong Kong, authorities denied him entry. He was forced to take the train to the airport terminal and then walk to meet immigration officials, who had already decided not to admit him.

Within hours, Glitter’s efforts to evade capture failed. He capitulated and agreed to return to London, again via Bangkok, where British authorities awaited him. His journey underscored the persistent difficulty in preventing known offenders from fleeing justice, especially when international cooperation is complicated by legal and diplomatic hurdles.

Reflecting on these events, it is clear that the fight against high-profile child abusers remains fraught with challenges. The case of Gary Glitter exemplifies how societal and legal protections often fall short, allowing such individuals to evade justice for years. The story also highlights the dark underbelly of celebrity culture, where powerful figures and societal elites shielded abusers, making investigations and prosecutions exceedingly difficult. The revelations about figures like Jimmy Savile and others in the entertainment industry underscore the systemic failures and the importance of vigilance and reform.

In conclusion, the saga of Gary Glitter, from Cambodia to Vietnam and beyond, reveals a disturbing pattern of evasion, complicity, and the ongoing struggle to hold offenders accountable. Despite his convictions and international bans, Glitter’s story remains a stark reminder of the persistent dangers posed by those who abuse their positions of power and trust.