05/12/2008
Boy George Guilty Of False Imprisonment
Singer Boy George has been found guilty of falsely imprisoning a male escort at his east London flat.
Norwegian Audun Carlsen, 29, told the court the ex-Culture Club frontman - tried under his real name George O'Dowd - beat him with a metal chain as he tried to escape from his flat after a naked photo shoot.
O'Dowd, 46, who claimed Mr Carlsen hacked into his laptop and stole photographs, denied one count of false kidnap, at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
However, the jury heard O'Dowd told police he had handcuffed the 29-year-old to his bed on April 28 last year, while he investigated the alleged tampering of his computer.
Mr Carlsen told the court O'Dowd had concocted the story, by way of punishing him for not having sex during their first meeting.
"I think he couldn't handle the refusal - me not having sex with him," Mr Carlsen said.
The pair first made contact on the Gaydar website, a social networking site primarily for gay and bisexual men.
The court heard their meeting went well, until O'Dowd became suspicious of Mr Carlsen hacking into his computer.
They parted on good terms, and the singer paid the younger man £300 of the £400 they had agreed.
During the following weeks, in emails they exchanged O'Dowd accused Mr Carlsen of breaking into his computer system.
O'Dowd, who did not give evidence himself during the trial, is expected to be sentenced on 16 January.
Judge David Radford warned O'Dowd he was "likely" to face jail.
(JM)
Norwegian Audun Carlsen, 29, told the court the ex-Culture Club frontman - tried under his real name George O'Dowd - beat him with a metal chain as he tried to escape from his flat after a naked photo shoot.
O'Dowd, 46, who claimed Mr Carlsen hacked into his laptop and stole photographs, denied one count of false kidnap, at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
However, the jury heard O'Dowd told police he had handcuffed the 29-year-old to his bed on April 28 last year, while he investigated the alleged tampering of his computer.
Mr Carlsen told the court O'Dowd had concocted the story, by way of punishing him for not having sex during their first meeting.
"I think he couldn't handle the refusal - me not having sex with him," Mr Carlsen said.
The pair first made contact on the Gaydar website, a social networking site primarily for gay and bisexual men.
The court heard their meeting went well, until O'Dowd became suspicious of Mr Carlsen hacking into his computer.
They parted on good terms, and the singer paid the younger man £300 of the £400 they had agreed.
During the following weeks, in emails they exchanged O'Dowd accused Mr Carlsen of breaking into his computer system.
O'Dowd, who did not give evidence himself during the trial, is expected to be sentenced on 16 January.
Judge David Radford warned O'Dowd he was "likely" to face jail.
(JM)
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16 January 2009
Boy George Jailed For 15 Months
Singer Boy George has been sentenced to 15 months for falsely imprisoning a male escort. The singer, whose real name is George O'Dowd, was found guilty last month of attacking the Norwegian model Audun Carlsen, 29, when he visited the singer's Shoreditch, east London, flat.
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Singer Boy George has been sentenced to 15 months for falsely imprisoning a male escort. The singer, whose real name is George O'Dowd, was found guilty last month of attacking the Norwegian model Audun Carlsen, 29, when he visited the singer's Shoreditch, east London, flat.
26 June 2006
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11 April 2005
'No indication' of Shipman suicide, widow tells inquiry
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'No indication' of Shipman suicide, widow tells inquiry
The widow of serial killer Harold Shipman has told an inquiry into his death that he gave no indication of an intention to commit suicide. Primrose Shipman told the inquiry, which opened at Leeds Crown Court today, that she asked her husband if he was suicidal during a conversation while he was being held in HMP Manchester in 1999.
23 October 2009
Crackdown On Fine Dodgers
Six hundred of the Scotland's 'worst fine dodgers' are being targeted in a crackdown by the Scottish Court Service on those who attempt to 'avoid the ends of justice'.
Crackdown On Fine Dodgers
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.