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Jimmy Savile scandal: Report reveals extent of abuse Jimmy Savile scandal: Report reveals extent of abuse
(35 minutes later)
Children as young as eight were abused by Jimmy Savile, a report detailing 50 years of allegations has revealed.Children as young as eight were abused by Jimmy Savile, a report detailing 50 years of allegations has revealed.
The Met Police and NSPCC outlined offences at 13 hospitals, including Great Ormond Street in London and Wheatfields Hospice in Leeds.The Met Police and NSPCC outlined offences at 13 hospitals, including Great Ormond Street in London and Wheatfields Hospice in Leeds.
Some 214 crimes were recorded across 28 police force areas, including 34 of rape or penetration, the report said.Some 214 crimes were recorded across 28 police force areas, including 34 of rape or penetration, the report said.
The CPS apologised for its "shortcomings" in the Savile case, describing it as "a watershed moment".The CPS apologised for its "shortcomings" in the Savile case, describing it as "a watershed moment".
Police said the accounts of victims painted a "compelling picture of widespread sexual abuse by a predatory sex offender". Police said the victims' accounts painted a "compelling picture of widespread sexual abuse by a predatory sex offender," and Cdr Peter Spindler, who is leading the abuse probe, said Savile had "groomed the nation".
The Department of Health said the Savile report showed the need to "learn lessons from his crimes," while Great Ormond Street Hospital described it as "extremely distressing".
Historical abuseHistorical abuse
Revelations that Savile had sexually abused children prompted hundreds of other victims to come forward, including those who said they were attacked on BBC premises.Revelations that Savile had sexually abused children prompted hundreds of other victims to come forward, including those who said they were attacked on BBC premises.
In response to the report, the BBC said it was "appalled" some of offences were committed on its premises, restating a "sincere apology to the victims of these crimes".
The former BBC presenter and Radio 1 DJ died aged 84 in October 2011, a year before the allegations emerged in an ITV documentary.The former BBC presenter and Radio 1 DJ died aged 84 in October 2011, a year before the allegations emerged in an ITV documentary.
Friday's report, Giving Victims a Voice, set out what Scotland Yard and the NSPCC have discovered about Savile since they launched the inquiry - Operation Yewtree - three months ago.Friday's report, Giving Victims a Voice, set out what Scotland Yard and the NSPCC have discovered about Savile since they launched the inquiry - Operation Yewtree - three months ago.
The 30-page document expanded on allegations that Savile was a prolific sex offender whose abuse took place at a number of institutions identified by victims.The 30-page document expanded on allegations that Savile was a prolific sex offender whose abuse took place at a number of institutions identified by victims.
Its findings included:Its findings included:
  • Savile offended at 13 hospitals, including Great Ormond Street, and one offence was recorded at Wheatfields Hospice in 1977
  • His youngest victim was an eight-year-old boy, and the oldest was 47
  • The earliest allegation is from 1955 in Manchester and the last from 2009
  • Offences were carried out at the BBC between 1965 and 2006, including at the last Top of the Pops recording
  • Peak offending took place between 1966 and 1976
  • Some 73% of victims were under 18. Most were aged 13 to 16
  • There is "no clear evidence" he operated in paedophile ring, although "whether he was part of an informal network" is still being investigated
  • Savile offended at 13 hospitals, including Great Ormond Street, and one offence was recorded at Wheatfields Hospice in 1977
  • His youngest victim was an eight-year-old boy, and the oldest was 47
  • The earliest allegation is from 1955 in Manchester and the last from 2009
  • Offences were carried out at the BBC between 1965 and 2006, including at the last Top of the Pops recording
  • Peak offending took place between 1966 and 1976
  • Some 73% of victims were under 18. Most were aged 13 to 16
  • There is "no clear evidence" he operated in paedophile ring, although "whether he was part of an informal network" is still being investigated
The report also revealed 16 offences were committed at Leeds General Infirmary between 1965-1995 and 22 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital between 1965-88.The report also revealed 16 offences were committed at Leeds General Infirmary between 1965-1995 and 22 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital between 1965-88.
And one offence was committed at Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital, St James Leeds Hospital, High Royds Psychiatric Hospital, Dewsbury Hospital, Wycombe General Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1971, Ashworth Hospital, Exeter Hospital, Royal Portsmouth Hospital, St Catherine's Hospital in Birkenhead, and Saxondale Mental Health.And one offence was committed at Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital, St James Leeds Hospital, High Royds Psychiatric Hospital, Dewsbury Hospital, Wycombe General Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1971, Ashworth Hospital, Exeter Hospital, Royal Portsmouth Hospital, St Catherine's Hospital in Birkenhead, and Saxondale Mental Health.
The Crown Prosecution Service also published a review of a decision in 2009 not to charge Savile with sexual offences in relation to four complaints made to police in Surrey and Sussex.The Crown Prosecution Service also published a review of a decision in 2009 not to charge Savile with sexual offences in relation to four complaints made to police in Surrey and Sussex.
It found there was "nothing to suggest" the decisions were "consciously influenced by any improper motive on the part of either the police or prosecutors".It found there was "nothing to suggest" the decisions were "consciously influenced by any improper motive on the part of either the police or prosecutors".
However, it said further action might have been possible had "police and prosecutors taken a different approach", adding the CPS prosecutor "did not probe... or seek to build a prosecution".However, it said further action might have been possible had "police and prosecutors taken a different approach", adding the CPS prosecutor "did not probe... or seek to build a prosecution".
If those coming forward had "been told that she was not the only woman to have complained, they would probably have been prepared to give evidence".If those coming forward had "been told that she was not the only woman to have complained, they would probably have been prepared to give evidence".
Director of public prosecutions Keir Starmer apologised on behalf of the CPS. He said the report represented a "watershed moment" and pledged to enhance information sharing and provide prosecutors with additional training for the future.Director of public prosecutions Keir Starmer apologised on behalf of the CPS. He said the report represented a "watershed moment" and pledged to enhance information sharing and provide prosecutors with additional training for the future.
A Department of Health spokesman said: "This report highlights the shocking scale of offending by Jimmy Savile over five decades and shows the need to learn lessons from his crimes. The Department of Health said the Savile report showed the need to "learn lessons from his crimes" and the findings would feed into its own investigation.
"When these allegations first came to light the department and relevant trusts started work to investigate these issues, and we expect any new NHS organisations named today to do the same. Great Ormond Street Hospital called the report "extremely distressing".
"Findings from all trust investigations will feed into the report Kate Lampard will write for the secretary of state on any lessons for the whole system in relation to safeguarding and access."
Great Ormond Street Hospital called the report "clearly extremely distressing for all those involved".
It added the allegation relating to the hospital was "not reported at the time and therefore neither the police nor GOSH hold any records relating to the matter".It added the allegation relating to the hospital was "not reported at the time and therefore neither the police nor GOSH hold any records relating to the matter".
Wheatfields Hospice said it was "appalled and dismayed" to hear the allegations and its "thoughts are with the individual involved and their family at this difficult time, and we will of course fully support the police in their investigation."
Speaking on behalf of Broadmoor, West London Mental Health NHS Trust called the report "deeply distressing," saying it was reviewing "thousands of files and records" to help with the police investigation.
'Cathartic process''Cathartic process'
Kim Harrison, a lawyer representing about 50 victims, said the report was one of the first steps on the way to victims getting "some kind of justice".
In a statement, the Met described Savile as "a prolific, predatory sex offender," adding the scale of his abuse was believed to be "unprecedented in the UK".In a statement, the Met described Savile as "a prolific, predatory sex offender," adding the scale of his abuse was believed to be "unprecedented in the UK".
"It is believed Savile was able, through his celebrity status, to 'hide in plain sight' while abusing children and adults over six decades," said Cdr Peter Spindler, who is leading the Savile probe. "It is believed Savile was able, through his celebrity status, to 'hide in plain sight' while abusing children and adults over six decades," said Cdr Peter Spindler.
"It paints a stark picture emphasising the tragic consequences of when vulnerability and power collide."It paints a stark picture emphasising the tragic consequences of when vulnerability and power collide.
"Savile's offending footprint was vast, predatory and opportunistic. He cannot face justice today but we hope this report gives some comfort to his hundreds of victims, they have been listened to and taken seriously.""Savile's offending footprint was vast, predatory and opportunistic. He cannot face justice today but we hope this report gives some comfort to his hundreds of victims, they have been listened to and taken seriously."
He also said lessons must be learned from the "shocking events".He also said lessons must be learned from the "shocking events".
Operation Yewtree has three strands - claims against Savile, claims against Savile and others, and claims against others.Operation Yewtree has three strands - claims against Savile, claims against Savile and others, and claims against others.
The allegations against Savile prompted a series of investigations, including three at the BBC and another by the Department of Health into his role at Broadmoor.The allegations against Savile prompted a series of investigations, including three at the BBC and another by the Department of Health into his role at Broadmoor.
A report by former Sky News chief Nick Pollard into the the dropping of a BBC Newsnight investigation into Savile's abuse said the decision was "flawed" and plunged the corporation into "chaos and confusion".A report by former Sky News chief Nick Pollard into the the dropping of a BBC Newsnight investigation into Savile's abuse said the decision was "flawed" and plunged the corporation into "chaos and confusion".
Savile was a BBC Radio 1 DJ as well as a presenter of Top Of The Pops and Jim'll Fix It on the BBC, and was knighted in 1990.Savile was a BBC Radio 1 DJ as well as a presenter of Top Of The Pops and Jim'll Fix It on the BBC, and was knighted in 1990.