The Kingston-born publicist is the first person convicted under Operation Yewtree
Kingston’s Max Clifford was jailed for eight years this afternoon after being found guilty of indecent assaults against young women.
Clifford, who now lives in Hersham, was found guilty on Monday of a string of assaults which happened over a period of almost 20 years. He is the first person to be convicted under Operation Yewtree.
Judge Anthony Leonard said Clifford should serve his eight sentences of between six months and 24 months consecutively and that he should serve at least half of this in jail.
He added that the PR guru led a double life and referred to his charity work and care for his disabled daughter.
The 71-year-old was also cleared of two charges, while the jury failed to reach a verdict on another charge.
During the trial, several women testified about his behaviour in his office and said he promised them job opportunities in exchange for sexual favours.
After the sentencing, the Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said Clifford thought he was able to abuse his position of power.
“People think they can be immune somehow because of the positions they are in. And there is a very clear message here. Nobody is immune, nobody is above the law and it doesn’t matter when things happened, we will prosecute when we have the evidence to do so,” she said.
Following the convictions, Shooting Star CHASE and Woking and Sam Beare Hospices announced he would no longer be a patron for their charities.
Photo courtesy of HowardLake, with thanks.
Follow us @SW_Londoner
Picture courtesy of ray forster, with thanks
