Rumours that Gary Glitter is living in Ashford appear to be untrue.

Gossip spread that the paedophile had been staying at an address that does not even exist.

And despite talk of a letter circulating of his or another paedophile’s presence, such correspondence has never been provided to the Kentish Express despite requests.

The newspaper was given a tip-off that the registered sex offender, real name Paul Gadd, lived in a particular road in Ashford, but our reporter found that the address did not exist.

Speculation, including on the social networking site Facebook, mounted after September 25 when Ashford Magistrates Court banned the disgraced Seventies singer from travelling abroad.

It was then unclear whether his travel application was made there because he was living in the area or because he planned to use Ashford International Station.

Events took a further twist last Friday with news that the 64-year-old was making a travel appeal through Harrow Crown Court.

That day Det Supt Paul Fotheringham, head of Kent Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Protecting the residents of Kent remains paramount to Kent Police and we work closely to monitor the behaviour of registered sex offenders in the county to minimise any risk to the public that may exist.

“We will also liaise with other forces when offenders move out of the police area of Kent.

“We will not discuss any details about named registered sex offenders, which extends to confirming or denying speculation about where they may live.”

The Kentish Express learned of unconfirmed sightings of Glitter in places such as Ashford town centre and Willesborough but with no photographic proof or evidence to rule out mistaken identity.

Some members of Facebook suggested Glitter’s presence in the Beaver Road area although others suggested places such as Norfolk and Oxfordshire.