Max Clifford forced teenage girl to perform sex act, court told

Image copyright Julia Quenzler

Former celebrity publicist Max Clifford locked a teenage girl in his office and forced her to perform a sex act on him, a court heard.

Mr Clifford allegedly "used his position of power" to "embarrass" and "humiliate" the 17-year-old.

He was described as a "sexual bully" to a jury at Southwark Crown Court.

The 73-year-old denies assaulting the teenager at his offices in New Bond Street between October 1981 and May 1982.

The court heard when there was a knock on the door to his office, he apparently put his finger to his lips to try to keep her quiet

Prosecutor Rosina Cottage QC said: "The defendant ignored her wishes and persisted in his actions, knowing she did not consent."

He apparently left "explicit" Polaroid photographs of women on his desk for the teenager to see.

Clifford, formerly of Hersham, Surrey, is charged under Operation Yewtree, the Met Police investigation set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Some of the biggest names in show business, including pop mogul Simon Cowell, late reality TV star Jade Goody and boxer Muhammad Ali, were represented by Clifford during his career.

The trial continues.