PAUL GADD AKA GARY GLITTER DENIED PAROLE IN BANBURY AFTER HISTORY OF SEX OFFENSES IN CAMBODIA, VIETNAM, AND WARRINGTON

Convicted sex offender Paul Gadd, widely recognized by his stage name Gary Glitter, will remain in custody following the rejection of his latest parole application. The 79-year-old Gadd, whose criminal activities span several decades and multiple countries, has a long and troubling history of sexual offenses involving minors.

Gadd was initially sentenced in 2015 to serve 16 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing three schoolgirls between the years 1975 and 1980. Despite his sentence, he was granted parole and released in February of the previous year. However, his freedom was short-lived, as he was re-incarcerated just six weeks later for violating the conditions of his parole license. The Parole Board, after reviewing his case, concluded that Gadd still demonstrated a significant lack of empathy for his victims and had not engaged in any meaningful rehabilitation programs aimed at addressing his offending behavior.

The official summary from the panel stated: "It found on the evidence that at the time of the offending, and while he was on licence, Mr. Gadd had a sexual interest in underage girls." This statement underscores the ongoing concerns about his psychological state and the potential risk he poses to society. Despite Gadd’s persistent denials of any sexual interest in children and his failure to show remorse, the board determined that releasing him at this point would pose an unacceptable risk to public safety. Therefore, they decided that he should remain in custody where his risks can be better managed.

The recent hearing, which was held in secret, was convened last month after a request to make the proceedings public was denied. The decision to keep the hearing private was likely due to the sensitive nature of the case and the ongoing concerns about the safety of potential victims.

Gadd’s criminal record extends back to the 1970s, with a notable conviction in Vietnam in 2006 for abusing two young girls aged 10 and 11. That conviction resulted in a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence. His crimes in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Warrington have all contributed to his notoriety and the ongoing scrutiny of his actions. His case gained renewed attention following the launch of Operation Yewtree, an investigation initiated in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal. This operation aimed to uncover and prosecute other celebrities involved in sexual offenses, bringing Gadd’s past crimes back into the spotlight.

During his peak fame in the UK, Glitter achieved significant commercial success, with three number-one hits, including the well-known song "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I am!)." Despite his musical achievements, his reputation has been overshadowed by his criminal conduct.

A lawyer representing one of Gadd’s victims expressed support for the decision, stating: "This is the right decision and in our view the only decision that the parole board could have made. Everything we know about Gadd/Glitter indicates that he remains a risk to children and has never shown any remorse." The ongoing legal and parole proceedings highlight the enduring concern over his potential to reoffend and the importance of public safety in such cases.