Formal complaint ignored: Savile 'abused 63 people' at Stoke Mandeville hospital alone

An independent report has found that a formal complaint against Savile at Stoke Mandeville hospital was not followed up.

17:20 26 February 2015

An independent report found that a formal complaint against shamed entertainer and serial paedophile Jimmy Savile was filed by a victim’s father in 1977 but was ignored. The Stoke Mandeville report added that at least 63 people were sexually abused from 1962-92 and were aged between eight and 40.

The report also found that Savile’s reputation as “sex pest” was an “open secret.”

It added that Savile had “virtually unrestricted access” to clinical areas and patients during the 1970s and 80s.

Although several people made claims against him from 1972-85, only one formal complaint was filed, which "should have led to Savile's suspension from the hospital and a formal police report being made.”

Dr Androulla Johnstone, the report's lead investigator, said the victims were "patients, staff, visitors, volunteers and charity fundraisers" - with almost half aged under 16 and 10 under the age of 12.

"Around one third of his attacks were against patients, just over 90% of the victims were female," she said.

"The sexual abuse ranged from inappropriate touching to rape.

"Savile was an opportunistic predator who could also on occasions show a high degree of pre-meditation when planning attacks on his victims."