Jimmy Savile named in Jersey children's home abuse inquiry

Jersey police said there was insufficient evidence for the investigation into Sir Jimmy Savile to proceed

Sir Jimmy Savile was investigated during an inquiry into abuse at a Jersey children's home, police said.

The three-year inquiry into child abuse at Haut de la Garenne heard allegations that the Leeds-born DJ was involved in an indecent assault in the 1970s.

The States of Jersey Police said there was insufficient evidence for the investigation to proceed.

Sir Jimmy died last year aged 84, and was never charged with any abuse offences.

A States of Jersey police spokesman said the allegation was made by a former Haut de la Garenne resident against Sir Jimmy in 2008, with the assault alleged to have occurred in the mid 1970s.

A police spokesman said: "During the course of the States of Jersey Police's historic abuse investigation a complaint of indecent assault said to have occurred during the 1970s at the former children's home Haut de la Garenne was received.

"The allegation was investigated but there was insufficient evidence to proceed."

Seven prosecuted

A three-year long £7.5m investigation by Jersey police into historic child abuse began after allegations of abuse at former children's home Haut de la Garenne.

From September 2007, police took 1,776 statements from 192 alleged victims, identifying 151 alleged abusers.

Seven people were successfully prosecuted.

Sir Jimmy was a regular visitor to Jersey and was Mr Battle of Flowers three times, the last time in 2002.

Since his death a number of allegations have surfaced, none of which have been proven.

An ITV1 documentary, Exposure: The Other Side of Jimmy Savile, to be shown on Wednesday accuses Sir Jimmy of sexual abuse against under-age teenage girls.

It will show several interviews with alleged victims of the DJ and TV presenter.

One complaint was made to Surrey Police in 2007, but following an investigation no further action was taken.