Jackson faces new charges on 'abuse'

Michael Jackson is expected to face extra charges of endangering a child at a California court today.

The singer will also be formally charged with child molesting in the wake of allegations made by the family of a 13-year-old boy who stayed at his Neverland Ranch last year.

Prosecutors are said to be ready to widen the scope of their criminal investigation to include causing the delinquency of a minor after the boy, a cancer victim befriended by Jackson, told investigators he had been given alcohol and shown pictures of nude women by Jackson during his visits.

Jackson, 42, will be charged under a section of California law that defines the offence as "arousing, appealing to or gratifying the lust, passions or sexual desires" of a child under 14. He faces between three and eight years in prison for each count if convicted.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon will file the charges today after waiting nearly a month to prepare his case.

Jackson is on £2 million bail following his arrest last month but will not have to appear in court until early January.

Prosecutors decided to bring the case after watching Martin Bashir's ITV documentary this year, which showed Jackson admitting that he slept in the same room as child visitors to his ranch. But the singer has since called the allegations "a big lie".

Members of the Jackson clan say they will throw a party for friends at Neverland this weekend to raise the star's spirits.