Police drop fresh Jackson probe

Mr Jackson has denied all the charges against him

Los Angeles police have dropped investigations into child abuse claims against pop star Michael Jackson which date back to the late 1980s.

Police uncovered no evidence to support the allegations made in March, despite an extensive two-month investigation.

A police spokesman did not discuss the nature of the allegations.

This decision does not affect separate child abuse charges in Santa Barbara, California, for which the 45-year-old faces trial in September.

"No charges will be sought," Los Angeles Police Lieutenant Art Miller said in a statement.

Delay

"After an extensive investigation, which included hours of interviews with the person making the allegations, detectives concluded there was no evidence that any crime occurred."

Legal experts previously concluded the charges would be difficult to prove because of questions about why the accuser did not come forward sooner.

Last week, the judge in Mr Jackson's separate ongoing child abuse case in Santa Barbara set a tentative date for the trial of 13 September.

Mr Jackson has pleaded not guilty to 10 child molestation charges, including a charge of conspiracy to abduct a child.

Prosecutors have opposed a move by the singer to reduce his $3m (£1.7m) bail over fears he might flee the country.