Hospital says two people claim they were assaulted by Sir Jimmy Savile (From York Press)

Hospital says two people claim they were assaulted by Sir Jimmy Savile

9:30am Thursday 11th October 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

SIR Jimmy Savile has now been accused of abusing a young girl in Scarborough, as well as two people at Leeds General Infirmary.

North Yorkshire Police said today that the force received a report yesterday of an historic sexual offence linked to the Jimmy Savile enquiry.

“The offence involving a young girl is alleged to have taken place in Scarborough in the late-1980s,” said a spokesman.

“This is the first report received by the force in connection with the inquiry and it has been referred to the Metropolitan Police Service who are co-ordinating the investigation.”

A spokesman for Leeds General Infirmary said that two people had claimed they were sexually assaulted by the late TV presenter in the 1970s.

Last week, The Press exclusively reported claims by former York Hospital nurse June Thornton that she saw a vulnerable patient being abused on a ward in 1972, when Savile worked as a volunteer porter at the hospital.

Mrs Thornton, now 80, from north York, said she was recovering from a major back operation when she witnessed Savile kissing and groping a patient sitting in a chair who appeared to have been recovering from neurosurgery. She said that when she told a nurse, she did nothing about it. The story was subsequently picked up and reported by a range of national newspapers and broadcasters.

The LGI spokesman said today that as a result of last week’s TV documentary about the TV presenter and subsequent media publicity, it had been contacted by two individuals, one of whom wished to remain anonymous, about incidents said to have occurred in the 1970s.

"We are shocked at the nature and extent of the very serious allegations made against Jimmy Savile which were revealed by the Metropolitan Police on Wednesday,” he said. “We have made contact with the police and they will be meeting with us to discuss their investigation.

“The Trust does not have any record of complaints about Jimmy Savile’s behaviour made during the time he was a volunteer and charity supporter at Leeds General Infirmary or at any of our other hospitals.

“Clearly this whole matter needs to be looked into fully and we will give every co-operation to the police, who are best placed to do so. At this stage we are not aware to what degree their investigation relates to incidents in Leeds.

“We would urge anyone with specific concerns about Jimmy Savile’s behaviour to contact the police.”