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Police apologise to Savile victims over 'missed opportunities' to investigate

A formal apology has been issued to the victims of notorious sex offender Jimmy Savile as police admitted they missed a number of chances to investigate him while still alive.

North Yorkshire Police said an investigation into Savile and one of his high-profile friends, former Mayor of Scarborough Peter Jaconelli, had found there would even have been enough evidence to consider prosecuting the pair.

A total of 35 people had come forward to lodge allegations against the two men, with offences ranging from sexual activity with a child to rape.

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Police chiefs' 'great regret' as Savile victims get no justice

Police chiefs in North Yorkshire have expressed their "great regret" that they will not be able to get justice for the victims of Jimmy Savile and his friend after officers missed opportunities to pursue them while alive.

It comes as the region's police force issued an apology to those attacked and abused by Savile and then-Mayor of Scarborough Peter Jaconelli for failing to prosecute the pair in the past.

An investigation found there would have been Credit: PA

Asst Ch Cons Paul Kennedy said an investigation had found there would have been "sufficient evidence" to consider charging the two men.

The available information indicates that, historically, the police missed opportunities to look into allegations against these men whilst they were still alive.

North Yorkshire Police apologises to the victims who made the brave decision to come forward during the past 18 months.

It is important that the victims have been able to make their allegations heard, and that their cases have been comprehensively examined by the police, regardless of the passage of time.

It is a matter of great regret that, from the outset of the investigation, there was no prospect of true justice being achieved as the suspects are deceased.

However, I hope the victims have gained a measure of closure from knowing that matters have now been investigated as fully as possible.

– ACC Paul Kennedy, North Yorkshire Police
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Police apologise to Savile victims over 'missed opportunities' to investigate

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