Boy George faces trial in escort case

Boy George appeared in court yesterday charged with holding a male escort against his will – allegedly by chaining him to a wall.

The singer-turned DJ is said to have imprisoned and assaulted the 28-year-old at his home in Hackney, east London, in April.

The former Culture Club frontman, 47, was addressed by his real name of George O'Dowd at the hearing – which lasted only a minute – and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

Dressed in a black jacket and shirt, he was freed on bail on condition that he does not contact the alleged victim. Nicholas Paul, for the prosecution, told Thames magistrates that the case centred on an "allegation of false imprisonment" but gave no further details.

George, who did not enter a plea, will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 25 February. As he left court, it took six policemen to force a way through the crowd of photographers to his car.