LONDON - The first ‘victim’ of Michael Jackson’s ‘obsession’ with children has said that he had forgiven the singer and is sad upon his death.

The King of Pop, who died aged 50 on Thursday from an apparent cardiac arrest, had been accused of abusing several young boys but was found not guilty at a trial.

His obsession with kids is believed to have begun when he befriended Terry George in 1979.

The then besotted young fan was shocked when Jackson, only months into their friendship, encouraged Terry to pleasure himself during one of their regular phone calls.

In 1993, Terry received a call from LA detectives after a young Jordan Chandler alleged in a police statement that he was abused at Jackson’s Neverland ranch.

“The police told me that they felt Michael’s behaviour started with his friendship with me. Although I knew what he did was wrong I believed him to be a very confused person rather than a paedophile,” The Mirror quoted Terry as saying.

Terry further revealed that Jackson spoke of his misery in a shock call earlier this year, saying: “He phoned me out of the blue and we both made our peace about what had happened in the past. I’ve forgiven him for what happened.

“He told me he had been under a lot of pressure recently. I think he was a very confused man who never grew up and lived a tormented life.”

He went on: “He said that people were forced to say things that they later regret. But he insisted his love for children was entirely innocent.”

Terry, now 42 and a multi-millionaire businessman, added: “After all the strain and torment he has lived through I thought he would live forever. And I am sad that he is gone.” (ANI)