LONDON (AP) - Singer Boy George admits in a recording played in court that he restrained a male escort with handcuffs.

But the former Culture Club singer says he had no intention of hurting the man. He also denies he tried to assault the escort or that he swung a chain at him.

The singer with the real name of George O'Dowd is on trial in London for the false imprisonment of 29-year-old Audun Carlsen.

O'Dowd says in a police recording played Monday that he asked Carlsen to come to his apartment. O'Dowd says he wanted to ask Carlsen if he had tampered with his laptop.

The '80s pop icon has a history of drug abuse and served a community service sentence in 2006 in the United States after falsely reporting a burglary.

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