As the one-day trial ended at the Communist People’s Court in the resort of Vung Tau, his lawyer, Le Thanh Kinh, said that Vietnam wanted to deport the 1970s pop star at the end of his sentence.

The verdict was due to be pronounced at 10am (0300 GMT) today. The possible punishment is a far cry from the sentence of death by firing squad, proposed by the local police chief before allegations of child rape were dropped.

It is also at the lower end of the scale for the abuse charges, which carry a penalty of up to seven years. The rape allegations were dropped after Glitter’s lawyer admitted that the families of the two alleged victims had each been paid $2,000 (£1,140).

If found guilty, Glitter, 61, charged under his real name, Paul Francis Gadd, could be released in little more than two years. After arriving in a police van from prison, giving victory signs and declaring, “I’m innocent”, he emerged 8½ hours later.

The proceedings were being held behind closed doors but raised voices were heard from the court during the evidence of the two girls and five other witnesses, including two women who allegedly had sex with the former rock star.

Times Recommends

• Fish and chip shops ‘selling cobbler as cod’
• T in the Park festival at Kinross
• Body Watch