Max Clifford sentenced to eight years in prison

Celebrity publicist Max Clifford has been sentenced to eight years in the prison.

XMAIN

by Ellie Henman |
Published on

The 71 year old was found guilty of eight historic counts of sexual assault on Monday.

As the judge at Southwark Crown Court handed down the sentence, Clifford’s supporters and family wept as he was led from the dock.

Before entering the court, Clifford, from Hersham, Surrey, posed for photographs and said to the waiting press, "I stand by everything I have said".

When summing up, Judge Anthony Leonard said Clifford had shown "no remorse" for his crimes, which took place in the 1970's and 80's.

He continued: "These offences may have taken place a long time ago, when inappropriate and trivial sexual behaviour was more likely to be tolerated, but your offending was not trivial, but of a very serious nature."

Max's daughter, Louise, was by her father's side throughout the case.
Max's daughter, Louise, was by her father's side throughout the case.

"Although your charitable work has gone on for a long time after your offending stopped, I cannot ignore that for decades you were leading a double existence."

His victims were aged between 15 and 18 at the time.

Their impact statements were read out in court, with one woman saying she felt she'd "lost the last 20 years" of her life.

Clifford - who was first arrested in December 2012 and charged the following April - will serve at least half of his sentence.

Police are expected to make a statement within the hour. It's not yet known whether Clifford's legal team will make a statement.

More to follow.

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