Gary Glitter has been arrested by British police on Sunday morning on suspicion of sex offences. The 1970’s glam rocker is believed to be linked to an ongoing investigation involving late BBC TV presenter Jimmy Savile, who allegedly committed numerous acts of child sex abuse.
According to The Guardian, Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, was taken into custody on Sunday at 7.15am in central London. Although a spokesperson for Scotland Yard did not directly identify Gadd when speaking of the arrest, multiple news outlets have confirmed that the man in question is Glitter.
“Officers working on Operation Yewtree have today arrested a man in his 60s in connection with the investigation,” a Scotland Yard spokesman said.
“The man, from London, was arrested at approximately 7:15am on suspicion of sexual offences, and has been taken into custody at a London police station”.
“The individual falls under the strand of the investigation we have termed ‘Savile and others’.”
As reported by the ABC, Glitter has previously served a jail sentence in Vietnam for child sex offences. Glitter was convicted in March 2006, charged with committing ‘obscene acts’ against two girls aged 11 and 12.
The current investigation for which Glitter has been arrested is centered on Savile, who is suspected of having sexually abused some 300 victims. Again according to the ABC, should Savile be found guilty, it would make him one of the worst offenders known in British history. Savile passed away on October 29, 2011 aged 84.
As noted by the BBC, Glitter is the first suspect to be arrested in connection with the Savile investigation. Glitter became a household name in the 70s with a series of hits including Rock and Roll, Parts One and Two, Hello, Hello, I’m Back Again and I’m the Leader of the Gang (I Am).
Update: ABC have reported that Glitter has been released on bail after being questioned in a London police station for approximately 10 hours. A police spokesperson said Glitter will, “return to the police station in mid-December 2012, pending further inquiries.”
