Trial date set for George - Nov 22 2007
Boy George has been sent for trial accused of falsely imprisoning a male escort by chaining him to a wall.

The pop star and DJ will next appear at London’s Snaresbrook Crown Court on February 25, Thames Magistrates’ Court ruled.

The 46-year-old - real name George O’Dowd - spoke during the minute-long hearing only to confirm his name and date of birth.

It is alleged that he falsely imprisoned a 28-year-old at his home in Ravey Street, Hackney, east London, on April 28.

George, best known as the former singer with Culture Club - the eighties band famous for chart-topping hits such as Karma Chameleon and Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? - left court in a blacked-out silver estate car without comment.

He was released on conditional bail.

In 2006, George did five days community service with the New York sanitation department after pleading guilty to wasting police time, when he falsely reported a burglary.

Boy George ’autographed’ £36,000 writ - Nov 19 2007
Boy George signed an "autograph" for a fan while DJ-ing at a gay nightclub - only to be told it was a £36,000 writ.

The entertainer was on the decks at 3am when a lurking solicitor, disguised as a clubber, sidled up to the DJ stand. The lawyer handed the star a piece of paper. Thinking it was a fan, the DJ obliged with a signature - which will now cost him £36,000 - the cash he owes after being sued by a club promoter.

The document was a Statutory Declaration, in legal terms once it’s delivered or "served", the receiver must pay his debts or be declared bankrupt.

A High Court judge in Manchester had ordered Boy George to pay the cash to Cheshire promoter Kasia Saleh for pulling out of a concert. He was given until November 2 to pay, but failed to come up with the cash.

The statutory demand served in the nightclub gives him 21 days to pay or face bankruptcy action.

Ms Saleh, of Winwick, Warrington, blamed him for the demise of her Club GAY USA venture after he cancelled an appearance in the States at short notice. A judge said the cash was to cover loss of income and expenses.

The 47-year-old was a guest DJ at Essential in Manchester’s gay village last Saturday, when he was hit with the writ from Ms Saleh’s Manchester-based solicitors, Levy’s.

A spokesman said the star was "gobsmacked", adding: "We have all got a job to do, one way or another, and this was the best way to do it. We had to get him at his weak moment."

Boy George was unavailable for comment tonight (Friday).


George charged with false imprisonment - Nov 13 2007
Boy George has been charged with false imprisonment after allegedly chaining a male escort to a wall.

Scotland Yard said the 47-year-old singer and DJ has been charged over an incident at his flat in Shoreditch, east London.

George - real name George O’Dowd - was released on bail and ordered to attend Thames magistrates’ court next week.

Scotland Yard said: "George O’Dowd, 47, a musician of Ravey Street, EC2, is charged with the false imprisonment of a 28-year-old in Ravey Street on April 28.

"He has been bailed to return before Thames magistrates’ court on November 22."

Last year George - who found fame as the frontman with eighties band Culture Club who had hits with Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? and Karma Chameleon - was given community service in New York after pleading guilty to falsely reporting a burglary at his lower Manhattan apartment.

The officers who responded found cocaine instead.