R. Kelly back in jail in child support case

R. Kelly back in jail in child support case

Embattled US R&B singer R. Kelly has been taken into custody for failing to pay child support.

A judge in Chicago said he would be held until he paid $161,000 (£122,000) owed to his ex-wife and their children.

It comes hours after R. Kelly tearfully and angrily denied allegations of sexual abuse in a TV interview.

Last month, he was charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, involving four alleged victims, three of whom were minors.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was released on bail after spending three nights in jail.

If convicted, he faces three to seven years in prison on each charge.

What is the child support case?

R. Kelly, 52, was detained after a court hearing in Chicago on Wednesday.

The singer’s defence attorney said he was having financial difficulties – his finances were a “mess”.

R. Kelly has been a target of a boycott campaign, and his recording contract has been cancelled.

He was prepared to pay up to $60,000 of what he owed to his former wife, Andrea Kelly, and their three children, but the judge required the full amount.

The singer’s next court hearing is scheduled for 13 March.

Source: bbc.com