Boy George Convicted for Imprisoning Male Escort

Singer-songwriter Boy George has been convicted of falsely imprisoning a male escort.

The former Culture Club singer — tried under his real name of George O'Dowd — was accused of beating Norwegian Audun Carlsen, 29, with a metal chain when he tried to leave O'Dowd's flat after a naked photo shoot in April 2007. The jury in a London court sided with Carlsen on Friday.

The 47-year-old musician previously told police he handcuffed Carlsen to his bed, but claimed it was because he suspected him of tampering with his computer. Carlsen told the court O'Dowd made the story up so he could punish him for refusing to have sex during a prior meeting, according to CNN. "I think he couldn't handle the refusal — me not having sex with him," Carlsen said.

The singer was bailed until sentencing on Jan. 16, but Judge David Radford warned O'Dowd jail time will be likely. "The fact that your bail is being continued does not imply that this will be dealt with by a non-custodial sentence. I don't want any false expectations created," he said.