Rape suspect 'knew disgraced PR guru Max Clifford'

Frank Cochran, who runs Wolverhampton-based FSC Investments, told a jury that he was invited to meet Clifford and his wife Jo at their Surrey home.

There Clifford asked him to take on a couple of his clients who were going through financial problems.

But Cochran, aged 60, who is facing a string of offences, including rape and sexual assault, insisted their relationship was ‘purely professional’ rather than social.

He denied Clifford had introduced him to a members-only sex website called Killing Kittens, which runs parties described as being aimed at the ‘sexual elite’.

The club was founded by Emma Sayle, a former classmate of Kate Middleton.

According to the company’s website, the parties allow members to explore their innermost fantasies and sexual desires in a ‘safe but sexually-charged environment.’

Asked by his defence counsel , Mr Mark Heywood, QC: “Given what we now know of Max Clifford, did you know anything about his private proclivities?”

Cochran answered ‘no’, saying that Clifford simply put business his way.

Giving evidence at Stafford Crown Court, the wealth consultant denied each of the eight charges against him, including two of rape and one of sexual assault.

Cochran, a former BT worker, made his name by advising the rich and famous – including representing ex-Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona.

Asked about his celebrity clients by Mr Heywood, Cochran said that this side of his business had tailed off in recent years.

As well as his position at FSC Investment Services, businessman Cochran is also a director of Celebrity Financial Planning and Floodlight Wealth Management.

In 2009, Celebrity Financial Planning was named as being Wolverhampton Wanderers FC’s ‘official wealth management provider’, aimed at arranging deals for players, although that arrangement ended several years ago.

Cochran, of Marston, Church Eaton, Stafford, was also formerly a prominent member of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce. The trial continues.