The trial of former British glam-rocker Gary Glitter has opened on charges that he molested two underaged Vietnamese girls.
Glitter has been accused of committing obscene acts, including kissing, fondling and other physical acts, with a 10-year-old and 11-year-old at his rental home in the southern port city of Vung Tau last year.
He has denied the allegations. He faces three to seven years in prison if convicted.
Holding up two fingers in a victory sign, Glitter (61), whose real name is Paul Francis Gadd, was escorted by police into the courthouse in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.
He had been held at Phuoc Co prison outside Vung Tau since November.
His lawyer, Le Thanh Kinh, said today that Glitter maintained his innocence in the case. "He says he has not committed any crime," Mr Kinh said. "I will do my best to defend him," though he added it will be "very difficult."
Glitter has said he was teaching the girls English at his home and considered them "like his grandchildren".
He has been in police custody since November 19th, when he was seized in Ho Chi Minh City trying to board a flight out of the country.
PA