Ex-celebrity publicist Max Clifford ‘used his position’ to ‘humiliate teenage girl into performing sex act on him’
Crown court told he was a "sexual bully" as jury hears he locked alleged victim in his office
FORMER celebrity publicist Max Clifford was a "sexual bully" and used his power to "humiliate" a teenager into performing a sex act on him, a court heard today.
The 73-year-old, who has represented famous faces such as Simon Cowell and Muhammad Ali, is accused of assaulting a 17-year-old girl.
It is alleged that he indecently assaulted her at his Mayfair offices in New Bond Street in London between October 1981 and May 1982. He denies this.
It is the prosecution's case that Clifford, formerly of Hersham in Surrey, locked the girl in his office and forced her to engage in a sexual act with him, a jury at Southwark Crown Court heard.
Clifford allegedly exposed himself to the teenager, "waved" his genitalia in her face and said: "It's only a bit of fun."
Rosina Cottage QC said: "He stood between her and the door and unzipped his trousers."
Clifford then forced the girl to put her hand on him and perform a sex act, the court was told.
Ms Cottage said: "She began to panic but didn't know what to do. She was terrified and had no idea what to do.
"She kept saying she didn't want to do it and didn't want to miss her train."
"She felt she had no choice but to comply."
When there was a knock at the door, Clifford "motioned with his lips to be quiet", the jury heard, but after the teenager called out "just a minute" Clifford stormed off.
Ms Cottage said he "used his position of power" to "embarrass" and "humiliate" the young victim.
She added: "The defendant is a sexual bully who took advantage of his position of power over the youth of the victim to engage in sexual activity she made it plain she did not want to do.
"The defendant ignored her wishes and persisted in his actions, knowing she did not consent."
Clifford denies the incident took place and claimed the allegation was "made up so that she could try and claim compensation".
The court also heard today the defendant left "explicit" Polaroid photographs of women on his desk for the teenager to see.
Many included a man's hand which the alleged victim thought was Clifford's.
Clifford is charged under Operation Yewtree, the Metropolitan Police investigation set up following the Jimmy Savile scandal.
In a career spanning more than 40 years Clifford represented some of the biggest names in show business through his PR company.
Today he appeared in the dock wearing a blue suit, white shirt, blue and red spotted tie and glasses.
He followed proceedings through a hearing loop.
He denies indecent assault. The trial continues.
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