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A free flat at Stoke Mandeville Hospital used by Jimmy Savile has become part of a fast-expanding police sex abuse inquiry into allegations the presenter was behind up to 25 attacks over four decades, it can be revealed.
Scotland Yard said the inquiry was of a “national scale” as it emerged that the force had already recorded two allegations of rape and six of indecent assault against the presenter, who died last year at the age of 84.
The claims date back to 1959 and information received suggested he had a “predilection” for girls aged 13 to 16. Most allegations date back to the 1970s and ’80s. Officers are following up 120 lines of inquiry after an ITV documentary.
Yesterday, it emerged that Savile's family will remove his headstone from his grave in Scarborough.
Police are speaking with two hospitals, Leeds General Infirmary and Stoke Mandeville, to examine if Savile abused patients there as well as in his dressing room at the BBC.
The Buckinghamshire hospital confirmed a flat was put at Savile's disposal as he raised millions of pounds for the National Spinal Injuries Centre.
Buckinghamshire Healthcare said it was “unaware of any record or reports of inappropriate behaviour of this nature during Sir Jimmy Savile's work with the Trust”.
A spokesman for the hospital declared it would “work 100%” with a police inquiry.
Meanwhile, comic Freddie Starr has denied claims he assaulted a girl after one of Savile's shows.
Asked if he ever touched an under-age girl, he said: “I never have done. I never will do. It's not my style.”
"If there's one thing I hate, close to my heart, is paedophiles. I cannot stand them. To be accused like this is devastating. I've got to fight back.
“I'm the only one in the ring at the moment and I've got people now helping me which I feel better for."
He added of the claims: “We will get to the bottom of it. I will take this evidence down to the police station and show them. I want a police investigation. I want them to interview me.”
Background
Freddie Starr was named by Karin Ward who waived her right to anonymity to speak out about her claims of sexual abuse at the hands of Savile.
She said she was in the Top Of The Pops host's dressing room and claimed Starr, who was present, had “groped” her.
Starr initially denied even being at a recording of a show starring Sir Jimmy, but footage screened on C4 News showed he had been on the show, Clunk Click.
Video: When Louis Met Jimmy Savile
