Disgraced English pop star and convicted pedophile Gary Glitter is set to be released from prison in the coming weeks after serving just half of his 16 year sentence for sexually abusing three young girls, according to a report.
Glitter, born Paul Francis Gadd, could be freed as early as February for his model behavior, a Ministry of Justice source told The Sun.
The depraved 78-year-old rose to prominence as a glam-rock star in the 1970s and 80s known for his wild live performances, but fell from grace after he was convicted of downloading child pornography in 1999.
According to The Sun, the “Do You Wanna Touch Me” singer still has millions of dollars left in his bank accounts and owns an apartment in London where he could live after his release.
His case will not have to go before a parole board, who can block a prisoner’s release if they find that they still pose a threat to the public, because he was sentenced to a determinate term, The Sun reported.
“Glitter has kept his nose clean in prison and toed the line and now his sentence is almost over,” sources told the paper.
“The nature of his determinate sentence means the case won’t go to the Parole Board,” the sources added, which means “as soon as his sentence is over, he is free to walk out of the prison gates.”
The parole board confirmed that Glitter would have to wear a tag upon his release.
Glitter was convicted with having sex with a minor in Vietnam in 2006 and spent three years in jail there. He was deported to the UK where he registered as a sex offender.
In 2015 Gliter was found guilty of attempting to rape an eight year old, having sex with a girl under 13, and four counts molesting another minor girl. The offenses occurred between 1975 and 1980.
“It is difficult to overstate the depravity of this dreadful behavior,” Judge Alistair McCreath said at his sentencing, adding that he wished he could put Glitter behind bars for longer, but was constrained by sentencing restrictions for crimes committed in the 1970s.
One of Glitter’s Vietnamese victims, Diem, whom he abused when she was just 10 years old in 2006, told The Sun she believes the singer will always remain a threat.
“He will always be a terrible danger to young girls. It’s terrifying to think he might soon be free, even though he is on the other side of the world from me,” she said.
The singer’s 1972 hit “Rock and Roll Part 2” was featured in the 2019 movie “The Joker.”