Sex beast music star Gary Glitter is said to be petrified of a move to an open prison - in case another con attacks and kills him.
The paedophile, real name Paul Gadd, could have been recategorised and transferred to an open jail 12 months ago. But he is being held at His Majesty's Prison The Verne on the Isle of Portland, in Dorset, south west England. And pals claim the 78-year-old, who is on a vulnerable person wing, is worried that a “psycho” will attack him if he leaves for another jail.
As reported by our sister title The Mirror, one friend said: "He’s a coward. He doesn’t want to move because he knows that there’ll be a target on his back. He feels safe where he is because it’s a prison for sex offenders. But if he moved he honestly believes some psycho could get to him."
Glitter was sentenced to 16 years behind bars in February 2015 but could walk free in a few weeks, as he is due for release after serving half his sentence. The glam rocker was found guilty of sex attacks on three girls aged eight to 13, and is likely to be tagged when released from jail. Because his sentence was a fixed period, the Parole Board is not involved.
A prisoner's release can be blocked by parole chiefs if they're believed to still pose a risk to the public. But sources say Glitter has been a model prisoner since his incarceration and will be freed as early as February. One source said: “He’s entirely within his rights to stay where he is. He’s a notorious inmate so everyone knows what he has done.”
Glitter - whose hits include I’m the Leader of the Gang (I Am) - was sentenced at Southwark crown court for “depraved and dreadful crimes” against fans. Between 1975 and 1980, he had sex with a girl under 13, tried to rape an eight-year-old, and repeatedly molesting a third girl.
The judge was constrained in how long he could jail him by sentencing guidelines for offences in the 1970s. Glitter fell from grace in 1999 when he was jailed for four months for possessing indecent images on children. But he was able to flee to Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.
He was expelled from Cambodia in 2002, and in 2006 he was jailed for sexually abusing two girls in Vietnam. He was deported back to the UK in 2008 after being released from prison. One of his victims, known only as “Ms D”, was 10 when Glitter repeatedly abused her in 2005 at his Vietnam villa.
Now 27, she vowed to sue him for compensation, adding: “I live with what that man did to me every day of my life.” A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Recategorisation decisions are taken by governors based on thorough risk assessments. We do not comment on individual prisoners.” The Ministry of Justice was approached for comment.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
