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R Kelly refused bail as prosecutor says singer is 'still a danger to young girls'

A judge said that the singer's lawyer had not been able to prove that Kelly was not a danger to the public.

Singer Robert Kelly, known as R. Kelly, is pictured in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., in this booking photo. Cook County Sheriff&#39;s Office
Image: R Kelly faces a number of sex-related charges in Chicago and New York
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Speaking in court on Tuesday, assistant US attorney Angel Krull told district judge Harry Leinenweber: "If he was attracted to middle school girls in 1999 then he's still attracted to middle school girls.

"That's who the defendant is and that, your honour, makes him a danger today.

"Electronic monitoring can't stop obstruction of justice, witness tampering."

She added: "He can entice victims to his own home."

Mr Leinenweber said Kelly would have to prove that he was not a danger to the public under federal law, and that Kelly's lawyer had failed to do this.



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Kelly, who appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit with shackles around his ankles, said only two words in court, "yes, sir", when asked if he understood the charges.







Image: Kelly's lawyer argued that preparing for a trial could take a long time


He pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.


Kelly's lawyer said that preparing for a trial will be a long and difficult process, due to the rapper's inability to read, meaning someone will have to visit him and speak to him about the documents that the case is likely to generate.

He has previously filed for bankruptcy, with his lawyer saying: "How could he flee? He has no money."

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