Jackson charged with seven counts of sexual molestation
Californian prosecutors last night charged pop singer Michael Jackson with seven counts of sexual molestation and two counts of giving alcohol to a 12-year old boy.
The cancer-stricken boy had spent several weeks at the singer’s Neverland ranch.
Tom Sneddon, Santa Barbara county district attorney, listed instances of Mr Jackson’s “substantial sexual contact” with the boy in February and March.
He plans to give details of “multiple counts” of “lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under 14.”
If Mr Jackson were found guilty he would miss probation and do time in jail, Mr Sneddon said.
The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of eight years for the first count and a further two years for each subsequent count. The pop singer could face up to 24 years behind bars.
Mr Jackson’s lawyers say Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services looked at the molestation allegations in February and deemed them “unfounded.”
Lawyers vigorously deny the accusations, calling them a “big lie.”
The 45-year old faced child abuse allegations in 1993, when he was reported to have paid as much as £11 million to settle a case involving another boy.
Mr Sneddon has agreed to delay Mr Jackson’s first court appearance by a week to January 16th to allow the idol to travel abroad to promote his new album.
Mr Jackson arrives in Britain on Saturday.
