Jimmy Savile

[book]

Didn't a certain DJ of a considerable age once shack up with a very young teenager boy singer. Maybe not illegal but boy some of these people know how to throw stones in glass houses

[Leodian]

It seems to me that the media has clearly already decided that he is guilty.

[Si]

Leodian wrote: It seems to me that the media has clearly already decided that he is guilty. Yes. On his death, the papers' headlines were all "Jimmy" this, and "Sir Jim" that. Now it's "Savile."

[jdbythesea]

Leodian wrote: It seems to me that the media has clearly already decided that he is guilty. The timing could not have been worse. The Rochdale grooming vermin; the Sussex teacher and the child in France; the uncertain safety of young April Jones in Machynlleth. What next? The great British Press will be looking for villains or scapegoats. Sir Jim is damned either way and his memory,whatever the outcome of all this, can only suffer. He cannot answer any charges of course but that isn't going to stop the muck-raking.

[Phill_dvsn]

There does seem to be rather a lot of these rumours going about, and they are not new, they have been going for years. The consensus between a lot of people who have met him on a professional basis, they all seem to say it saddens them, but as much as they hate to say it, it doesn't really surprise them.As far as I have read, the only reason he wasn't taken to court in 2008, is because the woman who made the allegations to Police, she was very specific and adamant from the start she would not give evidence in court. In all honesty I don't blame her for wanting to avoid the mass media hysteria that would have followed. The Crown Prosecution then felt they couldn't proceed without her testimony. I see both the Police, and B.B.C are starting to panic, both making statements in the last few days. I guess they're pretty wise to a potential rather nasty can of worms opening up. We'll have to see what the programme shows tonight, and await to see if anymore people coming forward in the next few weeks before we can make up our own minds. My own feeling is.... there is no smoke without fire!         

[Caron]

Well written, Phill. I agree with your words 110%Whilst we're on the subject of famous people and their good deeds, may I mention the author, Sir J. M. Barrie of Peter Pan fame. He was another "odd one" re kids. His money going to Gt Ormand St speaks volumes to me....

[BIG N]

Isn't it funny how the smallest odd comment can stick in your mind.Ever since this story broke I have watched the news with little more than a passing interest but I do think its a real shame that, if the aligations are true, the people involved couldn't bring them to light when J.S. was alive and able to defend himself.Cant help thinking some people are seeing an easy route to some money in the form of publicity and compensation but as has already been said there's often no smoke without fire, I guess only time will tell, as they say - The truth will out.For the last few days though one throw away comment has stuck in the front of my mind and it came on this very forum from Exiled in EssexJimmy Savile once knocked her flying on the stairs and then offered to buy her a drink but she turned him down because he gave her the creeps.No smoke ? well who knows ?

[Phill_dvsn]

Haven't you just seen the program Big N?It's not long since finished.From what I saw, I doubt many people will want to keep their ''Jim fixed it for me'' badges now. They're wasn't a hint of anyone thinking there was any money to be made out of it.I'm not sure how they could imagine, or even possibly think they could profit, or gain anything from speaking out. It would be just the opposite, they'd stand to loose everything, their name would be mud, and they're whole life would be ruined.Why jeopardise everything for nothing?All the stories were the same, from grown woman who were totally unconnected to each other. You not only had these girls speak out, but independent witnesses who actually saw it happen. As for them not speaking out earlier, I think it became clear watching the programme they feared no one would believe them, after all it was good old Sir Jimmy Saville O.B.E who everyone loved. Then of course they're is the sense of shame they've had to deal with, you hear about that in all cases of child abuse and why it doesn't get reported. At the time they only assumed they were the only person to know this guilty secret, they weren't to know it had happened to others as well. The fact it that it was reported to the Police when he was alive in 2008 ends any shred of doubt for me. Jimmy Saville, I'm sure given the choice, would prefer to be dead and not be able to defend himself, rather than be alive and have to answer some very awkward questions to the Police. The invites to tea with the Queen at the Palace would stop, and ''at Her Majesty's pleasure'' in the big house would take on another meaning altogether.                                             

[anthonydna]

It's very understandable that people didn't speak up at the time, reference the comments on here about "they are only doing it to make money" an awful lot of people think like that and are very vocal about it. Even now after years of hurt and shame there will be people judging them, which means that girls/women will still be cautious to come forward and keep quiet. This is what people who commit these crimes exploited, the stigma of accusing a "respected" person in the community. Thankfully it seems to be changing, it's hard to look back at the attitudes of people in the 60's and 70's with any kind of fondness.

[HelenG]

What removed any doubt for me was the recorded interview played during last night's programme in which JS defended Gary Glitter!