LONDON (AFP) — Paedophile 1970s glam rocker Gary Glitter arrived back in Britain on Friday after a farcical merry-go-round of Asian airports and was immediately ordered to register as a top level sex offender.
Despite the fact he may never leave the country again, Glitter, 64, claimed he was pleased to be back, three days after he was kicked out of Vietnam where he served a jail term for child molestation.
The shamed rocker arrived in London on a flight from Bangkok, having been denied entry by Hong Kong and Thailand.
Straight away, District judge David Simpson dismissed his attempt to avoid signing the sex offenders register.
At Uxbridge Magistrates' Court in west London, Simpson said the faded star had "demonstrated his desire to avoid the jurisdiction of this court" and ordered that he sign the register within three days.
Glitter, convicted in March 2006 of "obscene acts" with two girls aged 11 and 12, insisted he was innocent and blasted the Vietnamese justice system.
The flamboyant entertainer, real name Paul Gadd, smiled for photographers as police marched him through Heathrow Airport.
"Mr Gadd is pleased to be back in this country," his lawyer David Corker told reporters outside court, adding that Glitter was "not a well man", needed medical attention and feared for his safety.
"He tells me that his trial in Vietnam... was a charade, was a travesty of justice," Corker said.
"He never got a fair trial and in due course that will be expanded upon.
"Mr Gadd wants, through me, to say to you that he did not commit the offences for which he was convicted in Vietnam.
"It was a show trial and he had no opportunity to put his defence forward.
"Ultimately he wants that to be tested, if he can, before the courts of this country."
His bid to stop Glitter from having to sign the register was based on the singer's claims that his conviction was unsafe.
Glitter will now have to tell police where is staying and notify them of his moves.
He could also face an order prohibiting him from going near children or using the Internet.
He will be monitored by police and the probation service under the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements system.
Glitter is on the highest level of MAPPA, meaning he faces weekly visits and a high level of surveillance. Should there be any concerns about his behaviour, further action could be taken against him, a source told AFP.
Police could also apply for a foreign travel order banning him from travelling to certain countries or leaving Britain at all, if they feel they have enough evidence to put before a court.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has branded Glitter "despicable", adding that she found it "pretty hard to imagine" that he would be allowed to travel abroad again.
Glitter was released from a Vietnamese jail on Tuesday after serving nearly three years.
He faced a hostile press on his return home.
"The foul pervert finally had to realise there was no place to run and no place to hide," columnist Jon Gaunt wrote in The Sun.
"You are a piece of scum who has ruined numerous children's lives... and if I and many Brits had our way you would be performing the Saddam shuffle."
Glitter was the dazzling king of the over-the-top glam era, complete with extravagant make-up, bouffant wigs, silver jumpsuits and high boots.
He sold more then 20 million records and had a string of stomping hits like "I'm The Leader Of The Gang (I Am)" and "Rock and Roll (Parts 1 and 2)".
The singer maintains his innocence, blaming a media conspiracy.
He has spoken about trying to revive his music career and penning a book that he claims would exonerate him.
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