THE VOICE STAR ON CHILD SEX CHARGES Talent show singer ‘was subject of two-year police probe’

A SINGER who appeared on TV talent show was in court yesterday charged with a string of child sex and voyeurism offences.

Jeff Anderson, 25, first found fame taking part in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s BBC show Jesus Christ Superstar, where he landed the role of understudy for the lead role on the UK tour.

He appeared on the Beeb again in 2014 when he took part in The Voice.

But he failed to impress the judges – Ricky Wilson, Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue and will.i.am – and didn’t make it past the first stage.

Anderson, of Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, yesterday appeared at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court to face 16 charges.

The court heard that charges were brought against him after a two-year police investigation.

Anderson appeared in court in a bid to have bail conditions changed so he could leave the UK for three weeks to look for work.

During the hearing 16 charges were read to him, including the allegation of 15 sexual offences dating between 2005 and 2013, plus a charge that he stole a number of photographs.

The charges include two alleged incidents of indecent assault on a separate child; three alleged incidents of possession of an indecent photograph or pseudophotogragh of a child; 10 alleged incidents of recording without their consent and for the purposes of sexual gratification, a person doing a private act; and one charge of theft.

Bearded Anderson confirmed he understood the charges against him.

The police opposed his attempt to change bail conditions.

Anderson’s solicitor, Paul Dougan, said his client was looking for court permission to travel to the Republic of Ireland if necessary and if a job came up, without breaching his bail conditions.

He has already surrendered his passport.

The judge permitted the change of bail conditions and warned Anderson that failing to comply with the order would leave him facing being remanded in custody.