In 2014, the Offender Database recorded that Max Clifford, then 71, of Hersham, Surrey, was jailed for eight years for a string of “serious and non-trivial” sexual assaults. On Friday, 2 May 2014, the celebrity publicist appeared at Southwark Crown Court, where he was sentenced for eight counts of indecent assault against four women and girls as young as 15. The court reported that Clifford had used his “dominant character” and position in the entertainment industry to groom and exploit his victims between 1977 and 1985.
The investigation established that Clifford was the first public figure convicted under Operation Yewtree. One victim, a 15-year-old girl in 1977, was subjected to a long campaign of abuse after Clifford promised her parents he would make her a star. He molested her and forced her to perform sex acts during drives in his yellow Jaguar. The Metropolitan Police reported that Clifford displayed a “contemptuous attitude” during the trial, laughing and shaking his head at the accusations, which Judge Anthony Leonard noted added significant trauma to the survivors.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Clifford believed he was “untouchable” due to his influence over the tabloid media. Southwark Crown Court heard that his offences were far from trivial and would be classified as rape or assault by penetration under modern legislation. Judge Anthony Leonard noted that while Clifford performed charitable work, he had led a “double existence” for decades. The judge noted that the eight-year term—more than double what was expected—was a “severe price” for his lack of remorse and the long-term damage inflicted on the women, one of whom contemplated suicide due to his actions.
The judge noted that the passage of time did not diminish the gravity of the offences committed in London and in Spain during a holiday. For his actions, Clifford was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. The prosecution reported that the survivor impact statements were “extraordinary,” detailing how the abuse ruined marriages and left victims relying on lifelong counselling. Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders stated that the guilty verdicts were a “vindication” for the women who had endured a long journey to justice.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Max Clifford was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Eight years in prison.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Southwark Crown Court following a trial and convictions under Operation Yewtree.
- Historical Note: Clifford died in December 2017 at HMP Littlehey, Cambridgeshire, following a heart attack.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Prior to his death in 2017, Clifford was managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by the Metropolitan Police and the prison estate. Due to the nature of the “predatory” abuse and his high-profile status in Hersham, Surrey, his management within the prison system was subject to oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Clifford was required to comply with notification requirements for the remainder of his life. Authorities state that his conviction marked a significant turning point in the investigation of historical abuse by public figures in the United Kingdom. While his death at HMP Littlehey concluded his custodial term, his convictions remain a permanent matter of public record, highlighting the success of Operation Yewtree in bringing serial predators to justice.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.