Boy George decides not to testify

Boy George will not face cross-examination during his trial

Boy George has opted not to give evidence in his own defence at his ongoing trial for allegedly imprisoning a male escort at his London flat.

The singer, whose real name is George O'Dowd, confirmed through his defence counsel that he would not testify.

Mr O'Dowd denies falsely imprisoning Audun Carlsen, 29, at his flat in Shoreditch, east London in April 2007.

Mr O'Dowd told police he restrained Mr Carlsen because he feared the escort had tampered with his laptop.

As the defence case began at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Judge David Radford asked defence counsel Adrian Waterman if he had apprised his client of his right to decline to testify.

Naked photos

"Have you explained to your client that the time has come when, if he chooses not to give evidence or refuses to give evidence while sworn under oath, a jury may draw such inferences as appear proper by his failure to do so?" the judge asked.

Mr Waterman replied that he had done so.

The judge then asked if Mr O'Dowd, 46, was being called to give evidence. Mr Waterman said: "No."

The court has heard that the singer invited the Norwegian to his flat because he suspected him of stealing photographs from his computer during an earlier encounter.

The jury has already been played a police interview in which Mr O'Dowd admitted handcuffing the male escort.

In the recording, Mr O'Dowd told officers that Mr Carlsen had obtained naked photos of himself from his [Mr O'Dowd's] laptop.

He told police he was angry about the matter and had handcuffed Mr Carlsen while he investigated.

The singer then explained that he had a friend present to make sure the Norwegian did not try to leave "so I could check the computer and his phone".

He denied to police that he had assaulted Mr Carlsen.

The trial continues.