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Max Clifford 'revolted' by claims of sexual interest in children | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Max Clifford has said allegations he has a sexual interest in children are "utterly revolting, utterly untrue, disgusting lies". | |
The publicist told his trial he had helped expose convicted paedophiles Gary Glitter and Jonathan King. | |
He also said he went to sex parties when he was younger, but had never had sex with a woman without her consent. | He also said he went to sex parties when he was younger, but had never had sex with a woman without her consent. |
Mr Clifford denies 11 counts of indecent assault relating to seven alleged victims, aged from 14 to 20. | Mr Clifford denies 11 counts of indecent assault relating to seven alleged victims, aged from 14 to 20. |
The alleged incidents are said to have happened between 1966 and 1984. | The alleged incidents are said to have happened between 1966 and 1984. |
'Contradictory' evidence | 'Contradictory' evidence |
Mr Clifford, 70, from Hersham, Surrey, is giving evidence for the first time in his trial at Southwark Crown Court. | |
Addressing the jury, his barrister Richard Horwell QC said they had only heard one side of the story. | |
Setting out his case for the defence, Mr Horwell cast doubt on evidence given so far, saying "details" had "caught out" the prosecution witnesses. | |
In particular, he said prosecution witnesses had given "contradictory" evidence relating to the size of Mr Clifford's penis. | |
He said the evidence from the seven accusers about its size ranged from "freakishly small" to "enormous" and, as such, none could be relied upon. | He said the evidence from the seven accusers about its size ranged from "freakishly small" to "enormous" and, as such, none could be relied upon. |
"None of these four witnesses is correct," said Mr Horwell. "That's because Mr Clifford has an average-sized penis. That will be his evidence." | "None of these four witnesses is correct," said Mr Horwell. "That's because Mr Clifford has an average-sized penis. That will be his evidence." |
Asked about its size, Mr Clifford described it as "average I should think". | |
Meanwhile, the publicist told the court he had had a number of affairs, including one with a woman who worked in his office with whom he had had a two-year relationship. | |
He said they had sex in his office "very, very occasionally". | |
Mr Clifford, who was married at the time, told the court: "I knew what I was doing was morally wrong, but I didn't think I would be found out." | |
He said if he had not been married already, he would have married the woman. | |
'Gay voice' | |
The defendant added that he did not need further sexual gratification. And he said the fact a lot of rock stars had sexually transmitted diseases was a factor in that. | |
Mr Clifford also denied claims he had impersonated Hollywood directors and producers such as Michael Winner, Cubby Broccoli and Charles Bronson on the phone. | |
He said he used fake identities because it was a way of "checking people out and getting to the truth". | |
But he said he could only do a "gay voice". | |
Several of his accusers have said they received calls from a man with an effeminate voice urging them to contact Max Clifford. | |
He has denied making those calls or using the names given by the male caller to the witnesses. | |
Earlier in the month, the trial heard from a prosecution witness who claimed that Mr Clifford had indecently assaulted her in his car after meeting her at a Wimpy restaurant. | |
But giving evidence on Wednesday, Mr Clifford denied spending time in Wimpy in 1966, and said that at the time he did not have a car and could not drive. | But giving evidence on Wednesday, Mr Clifford denied spending time in Wimpy in 1966, and said that at the time he did not have a car and could not drive. |
'Repulsive' | |
Earlier the court heard extracts from police interviews with Mr Clifford when he was first questioned after his arrest in December 2012. | Earlier the court heard extracts from police interviews with Mr Clifford when he was first questioned after his arrest in December 2012. |
During those interviews when police asked what sort of sexual activity had occurred in Mr Clifford's office, he said: "Slap and tickle, kissing and cuddling, I might have had oral sex occasionally." | During those interviews when police asked what sort of sexual activity had occurred in Mr Clifford's office, he said: "Slap and tickle, kissing and cuddling, I might have had oral sex occasionally." |
He also said he had "never forced" himself on anyone, and was "never into young girls". | He also said he had "never forced" himself on anyone, and was "never into young girls". |
He told police that he "didn't need a casting couch", and that the 60s, 70s and 80s had been an "active time". | He told police that he "didn't need a casting couch", and that the 60s, 70s and 80s had been an "active time". |
The jury also heard that when he was confronted over a claim he had sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl in a Jacuzzi in Spain - which is not part of this trial as the alleged offence happened abroad - Mr Clifford said: "It's repulsive, it's totally untrue." | The jury also heard that when he was confronted over a claim he had sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl in a Jacuzzi in Spain - which is not part of this trial as the alleged offence happened abroad - Mr Clifford said: "It's repulsive, it's totally untrue." |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |