Clifford sentence decision is delayed

Three Court of Appeal judges in London said they would give their decision in his case at a later date after they heard argument on his behalf against his "too-long" prison term.

Clifford (71) watched yesterday's proceedings via video link from Littlehey Category C men's prison in Cambridgeshire.

He was jailed in May after being convicted of a string of indecent assaults, carried out between 1977 and 1984, using his celebrity connections to lure women.

The former celebrity agent (inset), who branded his accusers "fantasists", denied the charges, but was convicted at London's Southwark Crown Court.

Judge Anthony Leonard told Clifford his position in the public eye were the reasons his crimes were not revealed earlier.

After hearing argument from Clifford's QC and from the prosecution relating to his sentence, Lord Justice Treacy, sitting with Mr Justice Turner and Judge Michael Pert, said: "We have decided to reserve our decision.

"There are issues to be considered and we consider we require further time."

The date for the ruling was not given.

hnews@herald.ie