Jim Davidson says paedophile pop star Gary Glitter is ‘remorseful’ and ‘wants to start a new life’

Jim Davidson has visited paedophile pop star Gary Glitter in prison and claims he is remorseful and wants to start a ‘new life’.

The controversial comedian, 67, says the 77-year-old sex offender is contrite about his appalling crimes.

Davidson claims he went to visit the shamed musician in HMP The Verne in Portland, Dorset.

Glitter – real name Paul Gadd – is currently serving a 16 year long stretch after being convicted of assaulting young girls.

Davidson said: ‘I spoke to Paul when I visited The Verne two years ago.

‘He’s remorseful and he looked ready to start a new life.’ 

Glitter – real name Paul Gadd – is currently serving a 16 year long stretch after being convicted 

Davidson claims he went to visit the shamed musician in HMP The Verne in Portland

Davidson said: ‘I spoke to Paul when I visited The Verne two years ago’ in the comments

It comes just weeks after reports he could be released from prison within months.

The suggestion sparked outrage from one of his victims, known only as Diem, who said he ‘will always be a terrible danger to young girls’.

Probation staff could still decide to keep him in prison if they believe him to be a risk to children.

And even if he is released he would still be under conditions and eligible to recall until his full 16 year sentence has been served.

He will also remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.

But the thought of Glitter being released has sparked anger from one of his victims in Vietnam – where the singer was separately jailed for child sex offences. 

The disgraced star could be moved from HMP The Verne (pictured) in Portland, Dorset

Glitter (pictured left in 1974) was jailed in 2016 in the UK for sexually abusing three young girls between 1975 and 1980. The court heard Glitter (pictured right in 1974) had been at the height of his pop star fame when he attacked two of the girls, aged 12 and 13, after inviting them backstage to his dressing room

The woman, now 26, but who was sexually assaulted by Glitter in the south-east Asian country when she was just 10, told the Sun: ‘He will always be a terrible danger to young girls. 

‘It’s terrifying to think he might soon be free, even though he is on the other side of the world from me.’ 

Glitter was jailed in 2015 in the UK for sexually abusing three young girls between 1975 and 1980. 

He denied doing so. But, after a trial, he was found guilty sentenced for attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and one of having sex with a girl under 13. 

The court heard Glitter had been at the height of his pop star fame when he attacked two of the girls, aged 12 and 13, after inviting them backstage to his dressing room.

His youngest victim had been less than 10 years old when he crept into her bed and tried to rape her in 1975.

Glitter (pictured) was later arrested under Operation Yewtree – a UK-wide police investigation into sexual abuse claims against a number of high-profile celebrities, including Jimmy Savile

In February, the Sun reported how Glitter had been given a coronavirus jab before his victims and the prison officers who are guarding him at HMP The Verne (pictured)

His paedophilia first came to light in 1997 when he was caught with 4,000 images of child sexual abuse.

He was also charged at the same time, but acquitted, of sexual activity with an underage girl in the 1970s.  

Glitter was later deported from Cambodia on suspected child sexual abuse charges, before settling in Vietnam, where he called himself Larry Brilliante.

In 2006, in Vietnam, he was jailed for molesting two girls aged 11 and 12.

After serving his sentence in Vietnam, Glitter was deported back to the UK.

He was later arrested under Operation Yewtree – a UK-wide police investigation into sexual abuse claims against a number of high-profile celebrities, including Jimmy Savile. 

But, having now served seven years in prison, last week, Glitter was formally told by governors at The Verne that he had been earmarked for his move.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland is believed to have the power to block the move, the paper reports.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice told MailOnline that Glitter was not due to be released until 2023.