''This offence is so serious that only an immediate sentence of imprisonment can be justified for it.''

Judge David Radford during the sentencing hearing of George O'Dowd -- a/k/a former pop singer& DJ Boy George -- who found guilty last month of imprisoning and using a chain to beat an alleged male escort he met online via Gaydar. O'Dowd who has a long history of controversy and drug-related problems has been sentenced to 15 months in prison which is a far greater punishment that his defense team and family had apparently been expecting. (Reuters UK)