11/11/2012

UK: Arrest in Jimmy Savile sex probe

  • A man was arrested in connection with the Jimmy Savile sex abuse investigation
  • The man was not identified
  • Authorities did not detail the allegations against the man

(CNN) -- A 70-year-old man was arrested Sunday morning in connection with an investigation into sex abuse allegations against late TV presenter Jimmy Savile, London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

The man, whose identity was not released, was arrested "on suspicion of sexual offenses," according to the statement. Authorities did not detail the allegations against him.

He is the third person to be arrested in the investigation sparked by a TV documentary in Britain that detailed allegations against Savile of sexual abuse. The documentary aired on broadcaster ITV in October.

Those interviewed for the film titled "Exposed -- the other side of Jimmy Saville," gave detailed accounts of sexual assault on girls as young as 14 or 15. One alleged victim said he raped her at age 16.

Savile, who hosted popular children's TV programs including "Jim'll Fix It" and "Top of the Pops," was a household name in Britain for decades. He was also well known for his philanthropy, having raised millions of pounds for charity, and was awarded knighthood. He died last October at age 84.

Savile's targets were apparently mostly girls in their mid teens in what authorities have described as alleged abuse on an unprecedented scale. Authorities have said the investigation involves accounts of more than 200 victims.

Countless Britons who grew up watching Savile have been left reeling by the slew of claims against him.

The fallout has also hit the British Broadcasting Corporation, his former employer, amid questions about how his abuse went undetected and its decision to drop a report investigating the allegations.

Journalist Per Nyberg contributed to this report.

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