Max Clifford denies sexually assaulting teenage girl in the 1980s

The celebrity publicist pleaded not guilty to the historic offence when he appeared at Southwark Crown Court today via video link
Shamed: Max Clifford was jailed for eight years for a string of sexual assaults on girls and young women
Jamie Bullen20 October 2015

Celebrity publicist Max Clifford has today denied sexually assaulting a teenage girl at his Mayfair offices in the 1980s.

Clifford, 72, pleaded not guilty when he appeared at Southwark Crown Court via video link to indecent assault of the 17-year-old between October 1981 and May 1982 at his offices in New Bond Street

Today, he wore a striped white shirt with a dark jacket and spoke to confirm his name and not guilty plea. During proceedings he repeatedly interrupted counsel and the judge asking them to speak up. His trial, which is expected to last a month, will start on June 13 next year.

In a career spanning more than 40 years, Clifford represented some of the biggest names in show business including Simon Cowell, Jade Goody and Muhammad Ali. His trademark was negotiating kiss-and-tell deals with tabloid newspapers, including one which led to the Sun headline Freddie Starr Ate My Hamster.

Detectives arrested and charged Clifford under Operation Yewtree, the investigation set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal. He is next due to appear in court on March 17 for a legal argument hearing.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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