Michael Jackson's Neverland estate on sale as judge throws molestation charge out of court

Los Angeles judge ruled that claimant had waited too long before filing lawsuit against Jackson estate

Neverland was carefully - and extensively - remodelled by the late singer (AP)

The molestation lawsuit against Michael Jackson has been dropped as the late singer’s sprawling Neverland estate goes on sale for $100 million.

A Los Angeles judge yesterday dismissed choreographer Wade Robson’s molestation suit after ruling that Robson had waited too long to seek legal action.

In 2005 Robson testified under oath during the criminal trial against Jackson that the singer had never molested him, however, in May 2013 Robson alleged Jackson had molested him in a seven-year stretch beginning in 1990 - when he was seven - and sued the Jackson estate.

The singer paid $19.5 million for the property in 1987, christening it Neverland after Peter Pan’s island home, but despite the attention he lavished on the estate lived elsewhere following the 2005 allegations he had molested children there.

Neverland, which Jackson equipped with a zoo and small funfair (both subsequently dismantled), consists of 2,700 acres and has 22 structures on it.

The property’s animals, including the famous monkeys, have all been rehomed – although there is still a lone llama on the estate, according to the sellers.

On sale for £65 million, the property has a six-bedroomed house, with attached staff quarters, as well as another four-bedroom residence and a 50-seat film theatre, swimming pool, and basketball and tennis courts.

Jackson defaulted on a $24.5million loan during his legal difficulties in 2005 and the ranch was bought by estate investment firm Colony Capital in 2008. Colony have reportedly spent millions upgrading the property.

A spokesperson for Sotheby’s International Realty, who are sharing the listing with two other firms, warned they will be doing “extensive prequalification” of possible buyers.

“We’re not going to be giving tours,” a spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal.

Additional reporting by Associated Press