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Disgraced PR guru Max Clifford has lost an appeal against his eight-year jail sentence for sex offences.

Clifford was jailed for eight years in May after being found guilty of a string of sex attacks on four women during the 1970s and 80s.

The former celebrity agent and PR chief, 71, denied the charges but was convicted at London's Southwark Crown Court.

At a Court of Appeal hearing today, three judges threw out his claims and said his sentence was "justified".

(Image: PA)

Announcing the court's decision, Lord Justice Treacy said: "It seems to us that, after consideration of the individual offences and the application of modern sentencing attitudes reflected in the guidelines, but tempered by the need to have regard to the statutory maximum available at the time, an overall sentence of eight years was justified and correct."

He added that it was a "just and proportionate" sentence "taking account of considerations of harm and culpability together with aggravating factors and such mitigation as was available to the appellant".

At a recent appeal hearing, Clifford's barrister Richard Horwell QC told the three judges that Clifford's last offence was committed 29 years ago, "since when he has led an industrious life, and devoted a considerable part of his time to charitable works for which he has raised substantial funds".

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The trial judge had "accepted that he is no longer a danger to women and that he will not commit further offences".

Mr Horwell said that for a number of reasons the sentence imposed was "too long", adding: "Although the sentencing process must reflect modern attitudes, and I fully accept that that is our law, the sentencing process must not abandon common sense and fairness."

Rosina Cottage QC, for the Crown, said the total sentence imposed was one the trial judge was "entitled to reach".

When sentencing Clifford, Judge Anthony Leonard told him his personality and position in the public eye were the reasons his crimes were not revealed earlier.

(Image: PA)

He said: "The reason why they were not brought to light sooner was because of your own dominant character and your position in the world of entertainment which meant that your victims thought that you were untouchable, something that I think you too believed."

He added: "These offences may have taken place a long time ago, when inappropriate and trivial sexual behaviour was more likely to be tolerated, but your offending was not trivial, but of a very serious nature."

Clifford is currently serving his sentence at Littlehey Category C men's prison in Cambridgeshire.