Ex-pop star Gary Glitter charged with sex offences

2006 file photo of former British rocker Gary Glitter. Photo / AP

Former pop star Gary Glitter is to be charged with eight sex offences involving underage girls, the UK Crown Prosecution Service has announced.

Glitter, 70, whose real name is Paul Gadd, became the first person to be arrested as part of Operation Yewtree, the national investigation launched in the wake of abuse claims against Jimmy Savile, when he was held at his home in central London in October 2012.

He was later released on police bail, which was extended in March this year.

Announcing the decision to charge him Baljit Ubhey, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, said the evidence had been carefully considered.

"He was arrested on 28 October 2012 over allegations of sexual offences and the police have been providing material to the CPS since July 2013, with the most recent material submitted in March 2014.

"Having completed our review, we have concluded, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Gadd to be charged with eight offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956."

The charges relate to two female complainants who were aged between 12 and 14 at the time of the alleged offending between 1977 and 1980.

"We have also decided that no further action should be taken in relation to five allegations made by two further complainants as we determined there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction."

Glitter is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 19.

- PA, AAP