Police log complaints over Jimmy Savile sex abuse in Edinburgh

The unrelated women have spoken to Lothian and Borders Police in recent days to detail separate incidents involving Savile.

They are the first cases to be lodged with Lothian detectives and both women are currently being offered support by the force.

Both of the incidents took place in the 1970s, when Savile was at the height of his fame.

They had kept silent for decades until the flood of allegations against Savile came to light in recent weeks.

Until now, only two other victims had come forward to make reports to police officers in Scotland, both in Tayside.

Officers in the Capital have now passed full statements from both women, which includes an allegation of a sex assault, to colleagues in the Metropolitan Police, as the total number of Savile’s possible abuse victims rose to 300.

In the first case, a woman who was in her 20s at the time, told police Savile made sexual remarks to her during a meeting in Edinburgh.

In the second case, another woman, who was also in her 20s, was said to have endured a sexual assault at the hands of Savile, who died last year at the age of 84. The incident, which took place in Newcastle, also saw Savile make inappropriate remarks to the victim, who now lives in Edinburgh.

A police spokesman said: “Two disclosures have been made to Lothian and Borders Police, one of which was in 
relation to a historical incident in Edinburgh, and the other to a historical incident that happened in the Newcastle area. Full details have been provided to the Metropolitan Police and support is being offered to the women concerned.”

The Edinburgh cases were revealed as detectives scoured Savile’s Highland cottage in Glencoe amid fears more than 20 victims were abused there.

A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Constables in Scotland said: “Lothian and Borders Police have received two complaints about the individual concerned. Tayside Police have also received two complaints. No other Scottish forces have received complaints.”

It is thought Savile may have abused scores of young girls and some boys over a 40-year period. Police have so far spoken to 130 victims and officers have recorded 114 allegations.

Met Police Commander Peter Spindler has described the Savile police inquiry as a “watershed” moment in the investigation of child abuse. He said Savile was “undoubtedly” one of the most prolific sex offenders of recent history.

The police inquiry, Operation Yewtree, is looking at 400 lines of inquiry. The type of crime ranges from inappropriate touching to rape.

It has been claimed the Savile cases form part of a nationwide probe, with officers set to make arrests after allegations that the TV star was part of a wider paedophile ring.

Savile had strong ties to Edinburgh, travelling to the city at least every three years for personal visits and 
fundraising work.

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