Woman goes public over Glitter sex case

THE WOMAN who re-ignited the row over chequebook journalism by giving evidence in a sex abuse case against the pop singer Gary Glitter in return for pounds 25,000 waived her right to anonymity yesterday to explain why she sold her story.

Details of payments made to Allison Brown by the News of the World emerged last week during the trial at Bristol Crown Court where Glitter, real name Paul Francis Gadd, was cleared of eight charges of sexual assault against Mrs Brown, which were alleged to have taken place when she was 14. Hours later, Glitter admitted 54 charges of making indecent photographs of children, under the age of 16 and was jailed for four months.

Complainants in sex assault cases are legally entitled to anonymity but yesterday, Mrs Brown, flanked by her publicist, Max Clifford, went on Talk Radio to explain herself. "I just want to get on with being a mother. I'm not the person that Gary knew," said Mrs Brown, who has two children aged under five. "Once you are a victim you stay a victim until you change. I'm not a victim any more. I've changed."

Mrs Brown, 34, said she had gone public to make it clear she stood by the allegations made against Glitter. "It's been a heavy burden what I've been through, but people know about me so I don't mind standing up and telling the truth ... After I heard the jury's decision I'd lost all faith in humanity, but when I heard he'd lost the computer porn case I thought `Well, people will believe me now'."

Mrs Brown also explained why she had chosen to make her allegations to a newspaper rather than going to the police. "I spoke to the press before I had any idea this would go to court. I thought that was the only way to get this noticed."