Glitter Stuck In U.K.

Former glam rock star Gary Glitter had to drop his plan to visit mainland Europe after Ashford Magistrates Court refused to let the convicted sex offender leave the U.K.

The magistrates imposed a six-month ban on him leaving the country after he informed the authorities that he wanted to travel to Spain via France.

Police in Kent were granted the foreign travel ban Sept. 25 after giving magistrates evidence of Glitter’s previous convictions for child sex abuse.

While under the sex offenders register, Glitter must notify authorities if he wishes to leave the U.K. for more than three days.
He is also required to give police a week’s notice of his planned departure date. Failure to notify the authorities could lead to a five-year prison sentence.

Glitter did not attend the hearing but was represented by solicitors Corker Binning.

Kent Police won’t comment on individual cases or the possible whereabouts of Glitter in the county.

“From our point of view, it is easier to monitor someone who remains in the U.K. because we have comprehensive systems in place to manage any potential risks more effectively,” a police spokesman explained, saying the Kent force will do everything necessary to protect children in this country or abroad.

Glitter returned to the U.K. in August after spending 27 months in a Vietnamese jail for the abuse of two girls, aged 10 and 11.

Glitter was jailed 1999 in the U.K. for four months on charges possessing child pornography.