Joss Stone's underage sex storm

Music

16:30 04 April 2005

Joss Stone's boyfriend could face rape charges - because the singer is under the age of consent in America.

The 17-year-old star's lover, Beau Dozier, 25, could be prosecuted in Joss's adopted home of California, where the age of consent is 18, according to Britain's Mail on Sunday newspaper.

The pop sensation's move into Beau's Los Angeles home last year has outraged conservative Americans who say Beau, the son of legendary Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier, should face charges of statutory rape.

The critics have flooded internet chatrooms with messages of condemnation and concern.

One American mother wrote: "I would not be comfortable if my teenage daughter was dating a man of 25."

The storm of controversy has also placed the singer's contract as the new face of clothes store Gap at risk.

Joss's parents are also said to be deeply concerned with the outrage, and announced through a family spokesperson: "She's not living or staying with her boyfriend - she's in the care of his family."

Meanwhile, Lamont Dozier has publicly supported his son saying he had talked to Beau and was satisfied with the situation.

He said: "Joss is a British citizen and the legal age of consent there is 16."

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