Max Clifford at his desk in 2005
Hersham resident Max Clifford sentenced to eight years in jail. Emily Davis reports
The fallen PR guru Max Clifford has been sentenced to eight years in jail .
The first person to be sentenced under Operation Yewtree, Clifford was told he could expect to spend at least half of his sentence in prison.
Convicted of eight indecent assault charges on women and girls, Judge Anthony Leonard ruled that Clifford should serve his eight sentences of between six and 24 months consecutively.
“We welcome this substantial sentence. It’s clear the judge has recognised the pain and suffering Clifford caused" said Director of the NSPCC helpline, Peter Watt.
“His victims showed an enormous amount of courage in coming forward, four through the NSPCC helpline, and were treated with contempt throughout by Clifford, who called them liars and fantasists in court. As we heard in the trial, Clifford seriously damaged many years of their lives, with some being left suicidal by their terrible experiences at his hands. The sentence today, and those of other recent cases up and down the country, sends a clear message that victims of non-recent abuse can get justice.”
Earlier this year it was revealed Clifford had taken a £3.5 million mortgage on his Surrey mansion, prompting speculation that the remorseless PR guru is trying to protect his money from victims looking for compensation.
As clients and celebs rush to cut their ties with Clifford, his PR company in Weybridge, Max Clifford Associates, is expected to close.
Click here to read our 2005 interview with Max Clifford, which now takes on historic irony