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BBC Host Jimmy Savile Is Accused of Sexually Abusing Corpses

Jimmy Savile was one of the Britain's best-known celebrities in the 1970s and 1980s
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/ Source: Reuters

LONDON -- Jimmy Savile, the late BBC TV host revealed after his death to have been one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders, might have sexually abused corpses, investigators said Thursday. In 2012, police said Savile had sexually abused hundreds of victims at hospitals and at BBC premises over six decades. A series of new reports covering 28 hospitals that was released Thursday showed Savile had used his fame and charitable work to get unsupervised access to patients, raping and sexually abusing boys, girls, men and women aged between five and 75.

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In one disclosure, it was reported that Savile had sexually abused bodies in the mortuary of Leeds General Infirmary in northern England, taking advantage of his role as a volunteer porter. Two witnesses also told investigators Savile wore rings which he said were made from the glass eyes of dead bodies from his friends at the hospital. Savile was one of the Britain's best-known celebrities in the 1970s and 1980s. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and honored by the pope for his voluntary work at hospitals. He died aged 84 in 2011.

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- Reuters