Jimmy Savile 'Volunteered At Stoke Mandeville Hospital To Find Children To Abuse'

Jimmy Savile 'Volunteered At Hospitals To Find Children To Abuse'

Jimmy Savile volunteered in wards at an NHS hospital to find children to abuse, it has been claimed.

There are a growing number of allegations that the former TV presenter groped young patients at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, where he worked as a volunteer fundraiser.

Nurses at the hospital are understood to have dreaded his visits. They would tell children to stay in bed and pretend to be asleep when he came round, it has been claimed.

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Savile volunteered to find children to abuse, it has been claimed

Rebecca Owen, a former patient at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, told BBC News she overheard nurses talking in a way that suggested he also targeted them.

Ms Owen said: "It was an air of resignation that you had to put up with. There was some sort of ironic chatter between the nurses about who would be the lucky one to go off to his room.

"And then, as one of the nurses was leaving or passing by my bed, she leant over and said, 'the best you can do is stay in bed until he's gone and pretend to be asleep'."

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Rape and sexual abuse claims are being assessed by the Met Police

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said it was shocked to hear the allegations and never received any complaints about Savile.

A statement from the trust said: "We are unaware of any record or reports of inappropriate behaviour of this nature during Jimmy's work with the trust.

"We can confirm that the police have contacted us this week as part of their assessment exercise and we are co-operating with them fully."

As the scandal of Savile's alleged abuse of children in his BBC dressing room, at hospitals and schools continues to grow, calls have been made for the BBC to review its guidelines on child protection.

Jimmy Savile
Headstone of Sir Jimmy Savile removed(01 of09)
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A general view showing flowers left on the grave of Sir Jimmy Savile in Woodlands Cemetery, Scarborough, after the headstone was removed overnight at the request of Savile's family. (credit:PA)
Headstone of Sir Jimmy Savile removed(02 of09)
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Bunches of flowers left at the grave of Sir Jimmy Savile after his headstone was removed in the middle of the night. (credit:PA)
Headstone of Sir Jimmy Savile removed(03 of09)
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A message alongside bunches of flowers left at the grave of Sir Jimmy Savile after his headstone was removed in the middle of the night. (credit:PA)
Headstone of Sir Jimmy Savile removed(04 of09)
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Funeral director Robert Morphet stands next to the grave of Sir Jimmy Savile in Woodlands Cemetery, Scarborough, where he assisted the local council in removing the headstone at the request of Savile's family. (credit:PA)
Headstone of Sir Jimmy Savile removed(05 of09)
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Funeral director Robert Morphet stands next to the grave of Sir Jimmy Savile in Woodlands Cemetery, Scarborough, where he assisted the local council in removing the headstone at the request of Savile's family. (credit:PA)
Headstone of Sir Jimmy Savile removed(06 of09)
Open Image Modal
A general view showing flowers left on the grave of Sir Jimmy Savile in Woodlands Cemetery, Scarborough, where the headstone was removed overnight at the request of Savile's family. (credit:PA)
Headstone of Sir Jimmy Savile removed(07 of09)
Open Image Modal
A general view showing flowers left on the grave of Sir Jimmy Savile in Woodlands Cemetery, Scarborough, after the headstone was removed overnight at the request of Savile's family. (credit:PA)
Headstone of Sir Jimmy Savile removed(08 of09)
Open Image Modal
A message left at the grave of Sir Jimmy Savile in Woodlands Cemetery, Scarborough, after the headstone was removed overnight at the request of Savile's family. (credit:PA)
Headstone of Sir Jimmy Savile removed(09 of09)
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A general view showing the sign at the entrance to Woodlands Cemetery, Scarborough, where Sir Jimmy Savile is buried. (credit:PA)

See pictures of fans queuing in the rain to catch a glimpse of Savile's coffin

Auction of Sir Jimmy Savile's memorabilia

Jimmy Saville Auction
Sir Jimmy Savile Auction(01 of09)
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A sale of the late Sir Jimmy Savile's possessions and mementoes has got under way with one of the late DJ's Highland suits going for £280. The tweed jacket and kilt was the first of 549 lots to go under the hammer in Sir Jimmy's home city of Leeds today. The auction, which is expected to take at least eight hours, will include gold suits, Cuban cigars and the broadcaster's beloved Rolls-Royce. The lots include thousands of items of memorabilia owned by Sir Jimmy, which are being sold to raise money for his charitable trust. His trademark tracksuits and jewellery, including a £12,000 gold and diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, gold identity bracelet and rings, are all on offer along with the first ever chair from his Jim'll Fix It TV show. The sale kicked off at Savile Hall, at the Royal Armouries, with around 300 people packing the room and many more bidders taking part over the phone and via internet. Lot one - the Highland suit - was bought by a local man on the front row. As the auction continued, some items started to soar above their estimates. A Scottish shepherd's crook estimated to sell for between £30 and £60 went for £380. A tireless charity worker, Sir Jimmy is thought to have raised more than £40 million for good causes in his lifetime. He died just before his 85th birthday last year and requested his belongings be sold for charity after his death. (credit:PA)
Sir Jimmy Savile Auction(02 of09)
Open Image Modal
A sale of the late Sir Jimmy Savile's possessions and mementoes has got under way with one of the late DJ's Highland suits going for £280. The tweed jacket and kilt was the first of 549 lots to go under the hammer in Sir Jimmy's home city of Leeds today. The auction, which is expected to take at least eight hours, will include gold suits, Cuban cigars and the broadcaster's beloved Rolls-Royce. The lots include thousands of items of memorabilia owned by Sir Jimmy, which are being sold to raise money for his charitable trust. His trademark tracksuits and jewellery, including a £12,000 gold and diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, gold identity bracelet and rings, are all on offer along with the first ever chair from his Jim'll Fix It TV show. The sale kicked off at Savile Hall, at the Royal Armouries, with around 300 people packing the room and many more bidders taking part over the phone and via internet. Lot one - the Highland suit - was bought by a local man on the front row. As the auction continued, some items started to soar above their estimates. A Scottish shepherd's crook estimated to sell for between £30 and £60 went for £380. A tireless charity worker, Sir Jimmy is thought to have raised more than £40 million for good causes in his lifetime. He died just before his 85th birthday last year and requested his belongings be sold for charity after his death. (credit:PA)
Sir Jimmy Savile Auction(03 of09)
Open Image Modal
A sale of the late Sir Jimmy Savile's possessions and mementoes has got under way with one of the late DJ's Highland suits going for £280. The tweed jacket and kilt was the first of 549 lots to go under the hammer in Sir Jimmy's home city of Leeds today. The auction, which is expected to take at least eight hours, will include gold suits, Cuban cigars and the broadcaster's beloved Rolls-Royce. The lots include thousands of items of memorabilia owned by Sir Jimmy, which are being sold to raise money for his charitable trust. His trademark tracksuits and jewellery, including a £12,000 gold and diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, gold identity bracelet and rings, are all on offer along with the first ever chair from his Jim'll Fix It TV show. The sale kicked off at Savile Hall, at the Royal Armouries, with around 300 people packing the room and many more bidders taking part over the phone and via internet. Lot one - the Highland suit - was bought by a local man on the front row. As the auction continued, some items started to soar above their estimates. A Scottish shepherd's crook estimated to sell for between £30 and £60 went for £380. A tireless charity worker, Sir Jimmy is thought to have raised more than £40 million for good causes in his lifetime. He died just before his 85th birthday last year and requested his belongings be sold for charity after his death. (credit:PA)
Sir Jimmy Savile Auction(04 of09)
Open Image Modal
A sale of the late Sir Jimmy Savile's possessions and mementoes has got under way with one of the late DJ's Highland suits going for £280. The tweed jacket and kilt was the first of 549 lots to go under the hammer in Sir Jimmy's home city of Leeds today. The auction, which is expected to take at least eight hours, will include gold suits, Cuban cigars and the broadcaster's beloved Rolls-Royce. The lots include thousands of items of memorabilia owned by Sir Jimmy, which are being sold to raise money for his charitable trust. His trademark tracksuits and jewellery, including a £12,000 gold and diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, gold identity bracelet and rings, are all on offer along with the first ever chair from his Jim'll Fix It TV show. The sale kicked off at Savile Hall, at the Royal Armouries, with around 300 people packing the room and many more bidders taking part over the phone and via internet. Lot one - the Highland suit - was bought by a local man on the front row. As the auction continued, some items started to soar above their estimates. A Scottish shepherd's crook estimated to sell for between £30 and £60 went for £380. A tireless charity worker, Sir Jimmy is thought to have raised more than £40 million for good causes in his lifetime. He died just before his 85th birthday last year and requested his belongings be sold for charity after his death. (credit:PA)
Sir Jimmy Savile Auction(05 of09)
Open Image Modal
A sale of the late Sir Jimmy Savile's possessions and mementoes has got under way with one of the late DJ's Highland suits going for £280. The tweed jacket and kilt was the first of 549 lots to go under the hammer in Sir Jimmy's home city of Leeds today. The auction, which is expected to take at least eight hours, will include gold suits, Cuban cigars and the broadcaster's beloved Rolls-Royce. The lots include thousands of items of memorabilia owned by Sir Jimmy, which are being sold to raise money for his charitable trust. His trademark tracksuits and jewellery, including a £12,000 gold and diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, gold identity bracelet and rings, are all on offer along with the first ever chair from his Jim'll Fix It TV show. The sale kicked off at Savile Hall, at the Royal Armouries, with around 300 people packing the room and many more bidders taking part over the phone and via internet. Lot one - the Highland suit - was bought by a local man on the front row. As the auction continued, some items started to soar above their estimates. A Scottish shepherd's crook estimated to sell for between £30 and £60 went for £380. A tireless charity worker, Sir Jimmy is thought to have raised more than £40 million for good causes in his lifetime. He died just before his 85th birthday last year and requested his belongings be sold for charity after his death. (credit:PA)
Sir Jimmy Savile Auction(06 of09)
Open Image Modal
A sale of the late Sir Jimmy Savile's possessions and mementoes has got under way with one of the late DJ's Highland suits going for £280. The tweed jacket and kilt was the first of 549 lots to go under the hammer in Sir Jimmy's home city of Leeds today. The auction, which is expected to take at least eight hours, will include gold suits, Cuban cigars and the broadcaster's beloved Rolls-Royce. The lots include thousands of items of memorabilia owned by Sir Jimmy, which are being sold to raise money for his charitable trust. His trademark tracksuits and jewellery, including a £12,000 gold and diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, gold identity bracelet and rings, are all on offer along with the first ever chair from his Jim'll Fix It TV show. The sale kicked off at Savile Hall, at the Royal Armouries, with around 300 people packing the room and many more bidders taking part over the phone and via internet. Lot one - the Highland suit - was bought by a local man on the front row. As the auction continued, some items started to soar above their estimates. A Scottish shepherd's crook estimated to sell for between £30 and £60 went for £380. A tireless charity worker, Sir Jimmy is thought to have raised more than £40 million for good causes in his lifetime. He died just before his 85th birthday last year and requested his belongings be sold for charity after his death. (credit:PA)
Sir Jimmy Savile Auction(07 of09)
Open Image Modal
A sale of the late Sir Jimmy Savile's possessions and mementoes has got under way with one of the late DJ's Highland suits going for £280. The tweed jacket and kilt was the first of 549 lots to go under the hammer in Sir Jimmy's home city of Leeds today. The auction, which is expected to take at least eight hours, will include gold suits, Cuban cigars and the broadcaster's beloved Rolls-Royce. The lots include thousands of items of memorabilia owned by Sir Jimmy, which are being sold to raise money for his charitable trust. His trademark tracksuits and jewellery, including a £12,000 gold and diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, gold identity bracelet and rings, are all on offer along with the first ever chair from his Jim'll Fix It TV show. The sale kicked off at Savile Hall, at the Royal Armouries, with around 300 people packing the room and many more bidders taking part over the phone and via internet. Lot one - the Highland suit - was bought by a local man on the front row. As the auction continued, some items started to soar above their estimates. A Scottish shepherd's crook estimated to sell for between £30 and £60 went for £380. A tireless charity worker, Sir Jimmy is thought to have raised more than £40 million for good causes in his lifetime. He died just before his 85th birthday last year and requested his belongings be sold for charity after his death. (credit:PA)
Sir Jimmy Savile Auction(08 of09)
Open Image Modal
A sale of the late Sir Jimmy Savile's possessions and mementoes has got under way with one of the late DJ's Highland suits going for £280. The tweed jacket and kilt was the first of 549 lots to go under the hammer in Sir Jimmy's home city of Leeds today. The auction, which is expected to take at least eight hours, will include gold suits, Cuban cigars and the broadcaster's beloved Rolls-Royce. The lots include thousands of items of memorabilia owned by Sir Jimmy, which are being sold to raise money for his charitable trust. His trademark tracksuits and jewellery, including a £12,000 gold and diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, gold identity bracelet and rings, are all on offer along with the first ever chair from his Jim'll Fix It TV show. The sale kicked off at Savile Hall, at the Royal Armouries, with around 300 people packing the room and many more bidders taking part over the phone and via internet. Lot one - the Highland suit - was bought by a local man on the front row. As the auction continued, some items started to soar above their estimates. A Scottish shepherd's crook estimated to sell for between £30 and £60 went for £380. A tireless charity worker, Sir Jimmy is thought to have raised more than £40 million for good causes in his lifetime. He died just before his 85th birthday last year and requested his belongings be sold for charity after his death. (credit:PA)
Sir Jimmy Savile Auction(09 of09)
Open Image Modal
A sale of the late Sir Jimmy Savile's possessions and mementoes has got under way with one of the late DJ's Highland suits going for £280. The tweed jacket and kilt was the first of 549 lots to go under the hammer in Sir Jimmy's home city of Leeds today. The auction, which is expected to take at least eight hours, will include gold suits, Cuban cigars and the broadcaster's beloved Rolls-Royce. The lots include thousands of items of memorabilia owned by Sir Jimmy, which are being sold to raise money for his charitable trust. His trademark tracksuits and jewellery, including a £12,000 gold and diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, gold identity bracelet and rings, are all on offer along with the first ever chair from his Jim'll Fix It TV show. The sale kicked off at Savile Hall, at the Royal Armouries, with around 300 people packing the room and many more bidders taking part over the phone and via internet. Lot one - the Highland suit - was bought by a local man on the front row. As the auction continued, some items started to soar above their estimates. A Scottish shepherd's crook estimated to sell for between £30 and £60 went for £380. A tireless charity worker, Sir Jimmy is thought to have raised more than £40 million for good causes in his lifetime. He died just before his 85th birthday last year and requested his belongings be sold for charity after his death. (credit:PA)

Updated 18:35 9 October 2012: headstone information