Boy George escort 'wanted cuffs'

Boy George denies a single charge of false imprisonment

A male escort who claims he was falsely imprisoned by the singer Boy George asked to be chained during an earlier erotic photo shoot, jurors have heard.

The 46-year-old singer, whose real name is George O'Dowd, is accused of handcuffing and beating Audun Carlsen in his east London home in April 2007.

Mr Carlsen said he would never allow himself to be restrained, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

The former Culture Club star denies one count of false imprisonment.

Cocaine taking

Jurors at the pop star's trial were shown pictures he had taken of semi-naked Mr Carlsen, with chains around his wrists and a choker on his neck.

Adrian Waterman, prosecuting, said the male escort was willing to be cuffed.

He said: "During this photo shoot you yourself took handcuffs and asked to put them on."

But Mr Carlsen said that was "rubbish", claiming he put the chains around his wrists only to look like he was being restrained.

During the first photo shoot the pair took cocaine together.

The court has heard that O'Dowd became suspicious that Mr Carlsen had taken some photos and inundated the male escort with emails accusing him of hacking into his computer.

Despite this they agreed to meet for a second time at O'Dowd's house in Hackney - the singer is accused of restraining and attacking Mr Carlsen on that occasion.

The trial continues.