Evil Gary Glitter given £20,000 of taxpayer's cash for legal aid

May 6, 2015 -  The Mirror, UK

Wealthy paedophile Gary Glitter was handed more than £20,000 of taxpayers’ cash to fight child sex charges.

The former glam rocker – jailed for 16 years in February – was given legal aid despite renting a £2million house before his trial and raking in an estimated £300,000 a year in royalties, including from films.

Child abuse campaigners said the payout was “insulting” when victims often cannot get help.

Jon Bird, of the National Association of People Abused in Childhood, said: “We hear from many unable to take civil cases against abusers because they can’t get legal aid.” An NSPCC spokesman said: “It must be a bitter pill for his victims.”

Glitter, 71 on Thursday, was jailed for attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and one of having sex with a girl aged under 13. His youngest victim was eight.

Glitter's barrister has so far been paid £21,363.73 from the public purse, but that could rise when bills are finalised at the end of this month.

Legal aid is given to anyone on benefits, or earning below £22,325. Those on more can ask for a hardship review. It is understood Glitter made some contributions.

The Legal Aid Agency said it took “all steps” to recover costs when a defendant is found guilty.

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