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Max Clifford trial: Des O'Connor says publicist 'charming' | Max Clifford trial: Des O'Connor says publicist 'charming' |
(17 days later) | |
Chat show host Des O'Connor has told Max Clifford's indecent assault trial the publicist was "charming" and acted with "integrity". | Chat show host Des O'Connor has told Max Clifford's indecent assault trial the publicist was "charming" and acted with "integrity". |
The 82-year-old told Southwark Crown Court Mr Clifford was "always pleasant and friendly" when he attended filming for the Des O'Connor Tonight show. | The 82-year-old told Southwark Crown Court Mr Clifford was "always pleasant and friendly" when he attended filming for the Des O'Connor Tonight show. |
Mr O'Connor also said he was "impressed" by Mr Clifford's commitment to children's charities. | Mr O'Connor also said he was "impressed" by Mr Clifford's commitment to children's charities. |
Mr Clifford, 70, from Hersham, Surrey, denies 11 counts of indecent assault. | Mr Clifford, 70, from Hersham, Surrey, denies 11 counts of indecent assault. |
The charges relate to seven alleged victims aged 14 to 19 and are alleged to have happened between 1966-84. | |
'He cared' | 'He cared' |
Mr O'Connor - who hosted the Des O'Connor Tonight show from 1977 to 2002 - said Mr Clifford would often visit ITV's Teddington studios with his client, comedian Freddie Starr, who was a regular guest. | Mr O'Connor - who hosted the Des O'Connor Tonight show from 1977 to 2002 - said Mr Clifford would often visit ITV's Teddington studios with his client, comedian Freddie Starr, who was a regular guest. |
Asked whether he ever witnessed him act unprofessionally, Mr O'Connor replied: "Never. I don't think he would ever need to in any shape or form. | Asked whether he ever witnessed him act unprofessionally, Mr O'Connor replied: "Never. I don't think he would ever need to in any shape or form. |
"He was just there to accompany his client if there was any problem." | "He was just there to accompany his client if there was any problem." |
Appearing as a defence witness, Mr O'Connor said he became friends with Mr Clifford after he and his wife were invited to charity functions in the early 2000s. | Appearing as a defence witness, Mr O'Connor said he became friends with Mr Clifford after he and his wife were invited to charity functions in the early 2000s. |
"It impressed me he cared," Mr O'Connor said. "He was genuinely, genuinely concerned about the illnesses of the children." | "It impressed me he cared," Mr O'Connor said. "He was genuinely, genuinely concerned about the illnesses of the children." |
Mr O'Connor added: "I can't imagine him being anything other than honest and with integrity." | Mr O'Connor added: "I can't imagine him being anything other than honest and with integrity." |
'Average' | 'Average' |
The trial also heard further evidence on Tuesday concerning the size of Mr Clifford's penis. | The trial also heard further evidence on Tuesday concerning the size of Mr Clifford's penis. |
It has previously heard claims that Clifford has a "micro-penis", while one woman told the court it was "enormous". | It has previously heard claims that Clifford has a "micro-penis", while one woman told the court it was "enormous". |
Concluding the defence case, Richard Horwell QC told the jury that an agreed fact in the case was that a doctor had measured his client's penis and declared it "within the average range for a Caucasian male of Mr Clifford's age". | Concluding the defence case, Richard Horwell QC told the jury that an agreed fact in the case was that a doctor had measured his client's penis and declared it "within the average range for a Caucasian male of Mr Clifford's age". |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
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