Gary Glitter launches fresh bid for freedom and could be released in weeks

Disgraced musician Gary Glitter could be freed in a matter of weeks

Gary Glitter could be released from prison in a matter of weeks.

The disgraced musician, whose real name is Paul Gadd is currently serving a 16 year prison sentence after sexually abusing three school girls. He was jailed for his sickening crimes in 2015, having carried out the vile attacks between 1975 and 1980. Glitter, 80, had already been jailed for offences related to paedophilia.

He was released from HMP The Verne, a low security prison in February 2023, having served half of his 16 year sentence. However, just weeks after being released, he was taken back to custody, having breached his license conditions after allegedly viewing downloaded images of children.

Last year, he was denied bail when it was claimed he was still a risk to children, who he had a “sexual interest in”. Now, almost two years after being taken back into prison, he is set to face a Parole Board for a full hearing next month. This means that the disgraced entertainer could once again be released from prison, possibly on a license.

A Parole Board previously denied an application to have his hearing in public due to believing they would not be able to contact all of Glitter’s victims. A spokesperson for the board confirmed to the MailOnline that Glitter will face the board next month. In a statement, they said: “We can confirm the parole review of Paul Gadd has been referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and is following standard processes.

“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.”

They went on to add that members of the board will read through hundreds of pages worth of evidence in the lead up to the hearing, including evidence from witnesses, including probation officers, psychiatrists, psychologists, those who supervised Glitter in prison and victim statements could also be heard.

The spokesperson went on to add that it was standard procedure for the prisoner as well as witnesses to be questioned during the hearing which takes one day or more. “Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority,” they said.

He will give evidence during the hearing via Zoom from his prison, HMP Risley, in Warrington. It’s not yet known whether the appeal will be heard over one or two days but it’s likely to be listed for next month, meaning that Glitter could be freed from prison by March.

The glam rock singer became the first person to be arrested under Operation Yewtree – the police investigation into sexual abuse allegations against Savile and others – in 2012. Glitter was charged with the historical sexual abuse of three schoolgirls between 1975 and 1980.

His youngest victim was under the age of 10 when he crept into her bed and tried to rape her in 1975. Judge Alistair McCreath said at Southwark Crown Court at the time: “It is difficult to overstate the depravity of this dreadful behaviour.” One of his victims is seeking around half-a-million pounds in damages, the High Court has heard. At a hearing last month, the court heard the woman – who cannot be named for legal reasons – has been unable to work for several decades as a result of the abuse.

The Mirror has approached the Parole Board for comment.

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