Disgraced publicist and former Hersham resident Max Clifford has had an appeal against his sentence for sex offences rejected.

The Court of Appeal today told Clifford his eight-year sentence for eight historic indecent assaults on women and girls as young as 15, between the years of 1977 and 1984, was fair and appropriate. 

His lawyers said the sentence was too harsh and that Clifford was not a threat to women.

Clifford, 71, who lived in Onslow Road, Hersham, was arrested in December 2012 under Operation Yewtree.

He was formally charged in April 2013 and became the first person found guilty as part of the operation, which started after claims were made against Jimmy Savile, although Clifford was not investigated under his specific strand.

Clifford was patron of a number of charities, including Woking and Sam Beare Hospice and Shooting Star Chase, which have now removed him.

He also raised large amounts of money for Oasis Children’s Charity, in Cobham.