Singer Jackson asks for privacy

Mr Jackson will be asked to enter a plea next week

Michael Jackson has asked the media to respect the privacy of his family, as he awaits trial on child abuse charges.

On Wednesday a grand jury in California found there was enough evidence to force the singer, 45, to face trial.

Mr Jackson, who is staying in Florida, wrote on his website: "There are helicopters hovering above my residence, reporters staking out, and photographers lurking behind bushes." He is expected to enter a "not guilty" plea at a court hearing on 30 April.

Mr Jackson was arrested last November amid accusations that he molested a 12-year-old boy but denies any wrongdoing.

In December he was charged with seven counts of lewd acts on a child under the age of 14 and two counts of plying the boy with alcohol in order to seduce him at his Neverland ranch.

'Big lie'

Mr Jackson has dismissed the accusations as "a big lie" aimed at extorting money from him.

I am respectfully requesting that media organisations please respect my privacy and that of my children," he said.

"I greatly appreciate your cooperation."

Santa Barbara County prosecutors went to great lengths to keep the grand jury secret and the indictment was sealed - little is known about the exact nature of the charges.

On Friday the media covering the case, as well as Jackson's lawyers, asked the California Supreme Court to overturn a strict "gag" order imposed on the parties by Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville.

"The protective order bars those who are most knowledgeable about a criminal case that has garnered intense public interest from speaking to the public about the case, cutting off the best sources of truthful, timely information," lawyers for the media said in a written petition.