LOS ANGELES:

Michael Jackson has been fined £5,500 for failing to appear in court to face sexual assault claims. The singer did not turn up for last month’s hearing in the case brought by Joseph Bartucci, 39, who is suing him for a sexual assault more than two decades ago. Lawyer Charles Gay said the summons was “lost in the confusion” on the day Jackson was cleared of the alleged abuse of 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo.