Boy George trial begins

Singer accused of false imprisonment; denies charge

24 November 2008 - Boy George’s trial kicked off today at London’s Snaresbrook Crown Court.

In the first day of a trial that's expected to run for 5 days, the prosecution have been detailing the case against the singer and DJ, who is accused of locking up a man at his house.

He’s accused of handcuffing the male model and escort to his bedroom wall, after a photo shoot at his flat in East London. The two men met through the social networking website, Gaydar.

The escort, a Norwegian man called Audun Carlsen, claims the singer accused him of hacking into his computer, and told him “now you’re going to get it”. The prosecution went on to say Mr Carlsen, dressed only in his boxer shorts, managed to break free and escape.

According to BBC reporter Jack Izzard, who was in court today, Boy George sat in the dock in silence, looking very unlike the pop icon of the 1980s. Gone were the New Romantic frills and trademark make up. Dressed in sombre black, he silently shook his head as the prosecution outlined the case against him.

The court has not yet heard from Boy George, who is appearing under his legal name George O’Dowd and has pleaded not guilty to a charge of false imprisonment.


Victoria Hannaford