Boy George
Convicted of Imprisoning, Beating Male Escort

British pop star Boy George was convicted Friday by a London jury of imprisoning and beating a Norwegian male escort in his apartment in 2007.

The former Culture Club lead singer, born George O'Dowd, did not testify in the trial, but admitted to police that he had handcuffed 29-year-old escort Audun Carlsen while investigating whether he had tampered with one of George's home computers.

Prosecutors argued that as Carlsen attempted to flee the apartment after a nude photo shoot, George beat him with a metal chain.

Jurors were shown pictures of welts on Carlsen's head and injuries to his arm. George denied beating him, telling the jury that Carlsen received the marks because he was HIV-positive.

According to MTV News, when the verdict was read, George's "mouth dropped, and his friends in the public gallery gasped."

George is due back in court January 16 for sentencing. (Ross von Metzke, Advocate.com)