The name Max Clifford once meant celebrity influence—he was the go-to publicist for tabloid headlines. But his legacy was rewritten when he became the first person convicted under Operation Yewtree. This article draws exclusively on verified court records and major news reports to separate what’s proven from what’s still unknown.
Born: 6 April 1943 ·
Died: 10 December 2017 ·
Convicted: 2014 ·
Sentence: 8 years imprisonment ·
Offences: 8 counts of indecent assault
Quick snapshot
- Convicted of eight counts of indecent assault at Southwark Crown Court (Red Lion Chambers, law firm involved in prosecution)
- Sentenced to 8 years on 2 May 2014 (Judiciary of England and Wales, official sentencing remarks)
- Died in prison on 10 December 2017 (BBC News, established UK broadcaster)
- Full details of all alleged victims not publicly confirmed
- Some claims about his early career remain unverified
- Born 6 April 1943 (Reuters, international news agency)
- Arrested 6 December 2012 (Reuters, international news agency)
- Convicted April 2014; sentenced 2 May 2014 (Reuters, international news agency)
- Died 10 December 2017 (Reuters, international news agency)
Six key facts, one pattern: every number tells a story of abuse of power and judicial consequence.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Maxwell Frank Clifford |
| Born | 6 April 1943, Kingston upon Thames, England |
| Died | 10 December 2017 |
| Occupation | Publicist |
| Conviction | 8 counts of indecent assault |
| Sentence | 8 years imprisonment |
What is the latest verified information about Max Clifford?
Max Clifford’s death in 2017
- Clifford died on 10 December 2017 while serving his eight-year sentence (BBC News).
- His death was confirmed by the Prison Service; no suspicious circumstances were reported.
The implication: Clifford’s death closed the criminal chapter, but the legal record remains definitive.
Posthumous developments
- In April 2019, the Court of Appeal upheld Clifford’s convictions after a challenge continued by his daughter (BBC News).
- The appeal court stated that “nothing it heard came near imperilling the safety of the conviction” (BBC News).
What this means: the judicial system left no room for doubt about the verdict’s soundness.
What should readers know first about Max Clifford?
Who was Max Clifford?
- Maxwell Frank Clifford was an English publicist who represented celebrities seeking tabloid exposure (Wikipedia, collaborative encyclopedia).
- He was born on 6 April 1943 in Kingston upon Thames.
- He became a well-known figure in British media before his conviction.
The trade-off: his professional success was later overshadowed by his criminal acts.
Why is Max Clifford known?
- He built a career as a high-profile publicist, representing figures such as Simon Cowell and O.J. Simpson.
- However, his lasting notoriety comes from his conviction for eight counts of indecent assault committed between 1977 and 1985 (Red Lion Chambers).
- He was the first person convicted under Operation Yewtree, the inquiry triggered by the Jimmy Savile scandal (Reuters).
Why this matters: Clifford embodies the dual legacy of fame and justice—a figure who used influence for decades and was finally held accountable.
Which official sources confirm key claims about Max Clifford?
Official sentencing remarks
- The full sentencing remarks of HHJ Anthony Leonard were published by the Judiciary of England and Wales on 2 May 2014 (Judiciary of England and Wales, official sentencing remarks).
- The judge noted that some acts “would now be charged as rape or assault by penetration” under later law.
- Clifford was ordered to serve at least half of his sentence in custody, with indefinite notification requirements.
The implication: the judiciary made its reasoning fully transparent, leaving no ambiguity about the severity of the offences.
BBC news reports
- The BBC provides comprehensive coverage of Clifford’s arrest, trial, sentencing, appeal, and death (BBC News).
- Reports describe the judge’s statement that Clifford “groomed and degraded his victims” (BBC News).
What this means: mainstream news outlets with editorial standards have repeatedly corroborated the court’s findings.
Wikipedia biography
- Wikipedia’s biography summarizes Clifford’s life and career with inline references to primary and secondary sources (Wikipedia).
- It covers his birth, career, conviction, sentence, and death, serving as a starting point for readers.
The catch: as a collaboratively edited source, Wikipedia is not the final authority, but it cross-references official documents.
What is still unclear or unverified about Max Clifford?
Unverified allegations
- While Clifford was convicted for offences against seven complainants aged 14–19 at the time, some allegations made during the investigation did not proceed to trial (The Christian Science Monitor).
- The full scope of his conduct may never be publicly known.
Gaps in public record
- Details of Clifford’s early career as a publicist remain anecdotal rather than fully documented in primary sources.
- No new verified information has emerged since his death; any further claims would depend on future disclosures.
The pattern: the public record is strong on his conviction and death, but incomplete on the breadth of his alleged abuse.
What are the most common user questions on Max Clifford?
How did Max Clifford die?
- Clifford died on 10 December 2017 while serving his prison sentence. The cause was not widely reported as suspicious; he was 74 years old (BBC News).
What crimes was Max Clifford convicted of?
- He was convicted of eight counts of indecent assault against seven female complainants, committed between 1977 and 1985 (Red Lion Chambers).
- The offences ranged in length from six months to 24 months on individual counts, structured as consecutive and partly concurrent terms (Judiciary of England and Wales).
What this means: the judicial system catalogued the crimes precisely, and the sentence reflected cumulative punishment.
Timeline of key events
- 6 April 1943: Max Clifford born in Kingston upon Thames, England.
- 6 December 2012: Arrested as part of Operation Yewtree (Reuters).
- April 2013: Charged with 11 counts of indecent assault (The Christian Science Monitor).
- April 2014: Convicted of eight counts of indecent assault (Red Lion Chambers).
- 2 May 2014: Sentenced to 8 years imprisonment (Judiciary of England and Wales).
- 10 December 2017: Died in prison (BBC News).
- April 2019: Court of Appeal upheld convictions (BBC News).
The pattern: from arrest to appeal, the process took seven years and ended with the conviction twice affirmed.
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Max Clifford was born on 6 April 1943.
- He was convicted of eight indecent assaults in 2014.
- He was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment.
- He died on 10 December 2017.
What’s unclear
- Full details of all alleged victims not publicly confirmed.
- Some claims about his early career remain unverified.
“You have been convicted of eight offences of indecent assault.”
— HHJ Anthony Leonard, sentencing remarks, 2 May 2014 (Judiciary of England and Wales)
“Nothing it heard came near imperilling the safety of the conviction.”
— Court of Appeal, April 2019 (BBC News)
For the British public, the Max Clifford case remains a stark example of how a powerful figure can exploit his position for decades. The official sentencing remarks stand as the definitive record—a judgment that confirmed both the crimes and the system’s capacity to hold abusers accountable, even after death.
bbc.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, archive.org, penguin.co.uk, youtube.com, canadianpolicy.org
For a comprehensive overview of his life and legal troubles, see Max Cliffords full story.
Frequently asked questions
What was Max Clifford’s profession?
He was a British celebrity publicist who represented high-profile clients (Wikipedia).
How many indecent assault charges was Max Clifford convicted of?
Eight counts of indecent assault (Red Lion Chambers).
What was Max Clifford’s sentence?
Eight years imprisonment (Judiciary of England and Wales).
When did Max Clifford die?
10 December 2017 (BBC News).
Where can I find the official sentencing remarks?
They are published by the Judiciary of England and Wales here.
What is Max Clifford’s full name?
Maxwell Frank Clifford (Wikipedia).
Was Max Clifford a public figure before his conviction?
Yes, he was a well-known publicist in British media (BBC News).
Freddie Clarke is Senior Reporter at WordPatch.co.uk, covering writing, language, publishing, books, digital culture and entertainment stories for UK audiences.