10 Oct 2012

Police investigating Savile abuse claims

10:17 pm on 10 October 2012

British police investigating allegations of sexual assault involving presenter Sir Jimmy Savile say they have recorded eight separate criminal complaints against him.

Scotland Yard detectives say they believe the number of his victims could be well into double figures.

The popular television presenter and fundraiser died in October last year, aged 84.

Although Scotland Yard's inquiry was set up only last week, it has already revealed a deeply disturbing picture of a man regarded until recently as a television icon, the BBC reports.

Operation Yew Tree, as the inquiry is known, has received 120 pieces of information from alleged victims, witnesses and third parties about the conduct of Sir Jimmy dating back to 1959.

Police have so far officially recorded eight criminal allegations - two of rape and six of indecent assault - but detectives believe when their inquiries are over the number of victims could be as high as 25 to 30.

His headstone will be removed from his grave in Scarborough on Wednesday after his family expressed concerns.

The face of Top of the Pops in the 1960s, Sir Jimmy hosted TV favourite Jim'll Fix It on BBC One in the 1970s and 1980s.

He was awarded the OBE in 1971, and received his knighthood from the Queen in 1996 for charity work.