DISGRACED Gary Glitter could be released from prison as early as next month after making a controversial bid for freedom.
The paedo pop star was released automatically from his 16-year sentence in February last year after sexually abusing three schoolgirls.
5
Gary Glitter could be back on the streets in just weeks Credit: PA:Press Association 5
The paedo pop star used his fame to abuse young girls Credit: Rex Features
But Glitter - real name Paul Gadd - was hauled back behind bars just one month later after breaching his licencing conditions.
The 79-year-old could now be set free again following a parole hearing on January 24.
Caroline Corby, the chair of the Parole Board of England and Wales, confirmed the hearing would be held behind closed doors.
It usually takes 14 days for a parole decision to be made - meaning Glitter could be back roaming the streets in just weeks.
Read more on the predator GLITTER BAWLS Paedo Gary Glitter moans in scrawled prison notes about being banged up again
RETURN TO SENDER Pop paedo Gary Glitter deluged with sick fan mail since jail recall
The decision to grant him a hearing was slammed by solicitor Richard Scorer, who acts for one of Glitter’s -victims.
He said previously: "My client wants him locked up for as long as possible and I hope the Parole Board will take a common sense view, put public safety first and ensure he stays behind bars.
“Anything else would be madness.”
Glitter preyed on his young victims during the height of his fame in the 1970s.
Most read in The Sun
World Darts Champs Littler BEATS ex-champ Cross to face Humphries in huge Ally Pally final
PARK IT UP Alton Towers attraction forced to close after 21 years
END OF AN ERA BBC radio star steps down after 35 years saying 'I have to concede defeat'
ANGRY GARY BBC forced to take down Rooney sacking tweet after Lineker demands 'delete this'
He was first jailed in 1999 after a sickening cache of child abuse images was found on his laptop.
Glitter later hid in Cuba where he fathered a love child with a Yudenia Sosa Martinez before moving to Cambodia.
But Glitter was deported for suspected child abuse in 2002 and next settled in Vietnam.
The predator was caged again in the country in 2006 for abusing two girls aged 11 and 12.
Glitter returned to the UK in 2015 after travelling between countries notorious for sex tourism.
The extent of his crimes was revealed years later when he became the first person to be arrested under Operation Yewtree - the investigation launched in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.
Glitter was locked up for 16 years in 2015 for historic sex attacks on three young girls but was released midway through the sentence.
He was returned to prison for breaching his licence after The Sun on Sunday revealed he was allegedly viewing videos of children.
5
The Sun revealed pictures of Glitter browsing on his phone 5
Glitter can be seen leaving prison in February last year Credit: Darren Fletcher 5
Glitter was released halfway through his sentence last February Credit: PA