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Max Clifford sentenced to eight years in prison for indecent assault

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Max Clifford has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of indecent assault.

Jurors spent eight days deliberating before Monday’s decision and a further two days before Judge Anthony Leonard announced his full punishment.

max clifford© Photo: Getty Images

Max Clifford has landed eight years in jail

His eight years, means he'll be in jail for only four years if he displays good behaviour, and comes from a 1956 act, which sets the maximum term for those assaults at two years.

He was punished under those terms because his offences occurred between 1977 and 1984, however the maximum term would have been 10 years under current legislation passed in 2003.

Additionally the worst cases could have seen him charged with rape and land a 10-year life term, it was said at Southwark Crown Court, where the judge claimed he would not ignore Clifford's underlying medical conditions before the sentence was announced.

Reports say he turned off his phone, removed his hearing loop, and turned to smile and wave at colleagues before he was taken down to the cells.

The historic sex charges date back two decades and involve women and girls as young as 15. The 71-year-old was previously convicted on eight counts of assault.

He was cleared on two other charges and the jury failed to reach a verdict on one other sex charge. The PR guru had pleaded his innocence, declaring the prosecution "a nightmare" and branding the victims as "fantastists".

max clifford© Photo: Getty Images

Max Clifford was found guilty earlier this week

After the Jimmy Saville scandal detectives launched a string of investigations into household names as part of the Yewtree Operation. Various women came forward separately to claim they were abused between 1966 and 1984.

In response the publicist said their allegations were "utterly revolting, utterly untrue, disgusting lies". He did admit to "slap and tickle and kisses and cuddles" in his office and affairs with two female employees. However, he said those relationships "developed naturally" and were "morally wrong" because he was married - as opposed to criminal.

But the court heard from prosecution lawyers that he used promises of fame and meetings with celebrities "to bully and manipulate" young people into sexual acts. In a career spanning more than 40 years, the controversial PR has represented clients such as Rebecca Loos, Mohamed Al-Fayed, Frank Sinatra and Marvin Gaye.