Jackson family unite for trial

Michael Jackson was flanked by his famous siblings yesterday as he arrived at court to watch the man pursuing him on child sex charges be grilled by lawyers.

The King of Pop, together with sisters sisters LaToya and Janet and brothers Jermaine, Randy, Rebbie and Marlon, all wore white for the pre-trial hearing.

Around 300 screaming fans were outside the court in Santa Maria, California. Jackson kept them waiting for around ten minutes before emerging from a customised tour bus. His parents Joe and Katherine were by his side.

The five-day hearing will see Jackson's lawyers argue evidence seized in search warrants on his Neverland Ranch and in a raid on a private investigator's office should be thrown out.

It is claimed Santa Barbara prosecutor Tom Sneddon had no right to seek the warrant against the Los Angeles office and breached rules protecting client-attorney relations.

The superstar's lawyers will also argue some searched parts of Neverland were not included on the search warrant.

Jackson has pleaded not guilty to child molestation, kidnapping and false imprisonment charges, dismissing them as a plot to extort money. He is free on bail.