SANTA BARBARA, Nov 20: The embattled “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson, was freed on three million dollars bail on Thursday after being handcuffed and arrested on multiple charges of child sex abuse.

Jackson, 45, turned himself in to police in the California city of Santa Barbara, which lies near his Neverland Ranch, two days after an arrest warrant was issued on charges that could see him jailed for years.

“Michael Jackson was taken into custody at 12:05 pm at Santa Barbara airport,” Sheriff Jim Anderson said.

The black-clad superstar was taken into custody by sheriffs deputies moments after flying in on a private jet. He was driven to the local jail and taken inside with his hands cuffed behind his back.

He emerged after less than an hour waving with one hand and flashing a two-fingered “V” peace salute and thumbs-up signs to a clutch of screaming fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the star.

He was booked on multiple counts of “lewd and lascivious behaviour” with a child under the age of 14. Each charge carries a jail sentence of up to eight years.

Like all suspects, Jackson was fingerprinted and had a disturbing mugshot taken. He also surrendered his passport to authorities.

Through his lawyer and publicist, Jackson branded the accusations a “big lie” and was released after stumping up three million dollars for his bond. He immediately flew back to Las Vegas from where he had just arrived.

There, he was reunited with his three young children, who were brought on board his plane with their heads covered by blankets.

Hundreds of reporters and photographers had earlier swarmed Santa Barbara airport and its sheriff’s department as Jackson’s plane landed and parked with its nose and door in a hangar to allow him to give himself up to waiting police.—AFP