Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, said: “The prosecution in this case has proved Max Clifford’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt and the jury in this case decided that they were sure Max Clifford was guilty on eight of the eleven counts brought to court. He has rightly been held to account and sentenced today for his crimes.
“The prosecution was built with evidence demonstrating a pattern of behaviour where unconnected victims told of strikingly similar experiences over a number of years. I would like to thank all the victims for coming forward and giving evidence in difficult circumstances.
“Research is clear that sexual offences are severely under-reported and I want to provide reassurance to any victim that the CPS will continue to make decisions based on the evidence and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. We will work with the police and victims to build strong cases which we can put before the court no matter when the alleged offending took place or was reported. I hope this provides other victims with the courage and confidence to come forward and report abuse that may have happened to them, no matter who is alleged to have carried out the abuse or when.
“The CPS regularly gains convictions in non-recent sexual abuse cases up and down the country which go unreported yet this case, alongside a few others, have attracted much more attention. For the CPS there is no difference - we apply the same tests in every case no matter who the defendant is. That is the criminal justice system working effectively.
“The independence of the CPS means that our decision making is at all times fair, impartial and without prejudice and we will pursue such prosecutions resolutely and robustly no matter who the suspect is.”
