Bieber baby accuser told her ex-boyfriend that he was the father

As the teen heartthrob jetted into Ireland for the MTV Awards, the controversy over his alleged encounter with Mariah Yeater went into overdrive.

The Herald revealed yesterday that Bieber had banned journalists from asking him about her demands for a paternity test but it will be hard for him to avoid.

Thousands of fans are expected to travel to Belfast for a chance to catch a glimpse of the pop star.

The 17-year-old Canadian singer arrived in Northern Ireland today to take part in tomorrow's European MTV Awards, hosted by his girlfriend Selena Gomez.

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This will be Bieber's first appearance since he denied claims that he fathered a child when he was just 16 years old.

It has since emerged that 20-year-old Yeater previously accused her ex-boyfriend of being the father of her now three- month-old son.

According to showbiz news site TMZ, Yeater previously dated John Terranova (18) in Las Vegas towards the end of high school and she told him that she was pregnant with his child in December 2010.

John's grandmother, Frances Lippe, told TMZ that her grandson had insisted he was not responsible for Yeater's pregnancy.

The two young people later got into an argument and police were called because Yeater allegedly broke the car window of Terranova's new girlfriend.

Another altercation is said to have happened on the same day when Yeater returned home to work out a payment plan for the window.

She allegedly slapped John three times in the face with her open right hand.

Yeater is now due to appear in court next month for allegedly slapping her ex boyfriend. She is set to show up for a bench trial in Las Vegas on December 12 on a misdemeanour battery charge.

If proven guilty, Yeater could be sentenced to up to six months in jail and receive a $1,000 (€725) fine.

Yeater has pleaded not guilty and has so far refused to comment on the case.

Chart-topper Bieber, who is nominated for MTV's best pop, best male and biggest fans awards, went on the US Today show yesterday to insist that there was no truth in the paternity claims.

"I'd just like to say basically that none of those allegations are true," Bieber affirmed.

"I know that I'm going to be a target, but I'm never going to be a victim."

Yeater, who is suing the millionaire in California, is seeking a paternity test and child support.

The young woman attended school in Las Vegas until 2008 when she withdrew from 10th grade.

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Her son was born in San Diego on July 6 but she did not list a father on his birth certificate.

Bieber and his girlfriend Selena Gomez (19) are expected to show a united front this weekend.

Meanwhile, Jedward are also standing by the teen idol, saying they know the baby rumours are untrue.

They have revealed how they don't believe for a second that the Canadian crooner has become a first-time dad.

"We're big fans of his. We know all his songs and the story isn't true. If it was, it would be a much bigger thing -- it's clearly made up. Justin Bieber is innocent. He may have a song called Baby but it's not true," said Edward.

John added: "The Baby song has a whole new meaning now for all his fans around the world, but that doesn't mean anything. We bought his new Christmas album and the song Mistletoe is cool."

hnews@herald.ie

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