Six decades of abuse: Jimmy Savile timeline

British entertainer Jimmy Savile sexually abused children and adults over six decades, using his celebrity status to attack his victims and avoid prosecution.

Here is a timeline showing how Savile carried out his campaign of abuse, according to a report by police and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children released on Thursday:

— 1926 —

Jimmy Savile born in Leeds, northern England. Works as a coal miner in World War II until suffering spinal injuries in an accident, then becomes a disc jockey at local dance halls.

— 1955 —

First reported incident of sexual abuse, in Manchester, northwest England.

— 1958 —

Savile begins career as entertainer, working for Radio Luxembourg.

— 1964 —

Savile starts career at the BBC, presenting first edition of chart show “Top of the Pops”.

— 1965 —

First reported offence of abuse at the BBC. The last will be in 2006.

First reported abuse at Leeds General Hospital, where Savile volunteered as a night porter (abuse continues until 1995), and at Stoke Mandeville Hospital for spinal injuries (abuse continues until 1988).

— 1966 to 1976 —

Peak period of reported abuse, when Savile was between 40 and 50 years old and at peak of fame.

— 1970 —

First reported offence at Duncroft School for girls (until 1978).

— 1971 —

Savile awarded OBE (Order of the British Empire)

— 1975 to 1994 —

Savile presents “Jim’ll Fix It”, a BBC programme in which he made children’s wishes come true.

— 1980s —

Woman reportedly tells police she was assaulted in Saviles camper van in a BBC car park when she was in her 20s, but no trace of police file is found.

— 1990 —

Savile receives knighthood and Papal knighthood.

— 2000 —

In documentary by presenter Louis Theroux, Savile denies rumours that he is a paedophile.

— 2003 —

Woman tells London police Savile inappropriately touched her on “Top of the Pops” in 1973. She refuses to proceed without other victims.

— 2006 —

Savile abuses teenage girl during final recording of “Top of the Pops” — his last reported offence at the BBC.

— 2007 to 2008 —

Surrey Police in southern England receive claims that Savile abused two women at Duncroft School and a third at Stoke Mandeville hospital, all in the 1970s. Another woman tells police in Sussex, also in southern England, she was abused in a caravan in the 1970s.

Savile considered during investigation into abuse at Haut de La Garenne children’s home in Jersey.

— 2009–

Final attack by Savile: puts hand up skirt of 43-year-old woman on a train between Leeds and London.

Savile interviewed by police but Crown Prosecution Service says there is insufficient evidence to take any further action as complainants won’t testify.

— 2011 —

Savile dies on October 29.

After his death, BBC’s flagship current affairs programme “Newsnight” shelves programme featuring allegations against Savile.

— 2012 —

October 3: ITV, BBC’s commercial rival, broadcasts show featuring five women who claim Savile abused them.

October 7: Prime Minister David Cameron urges full investigation.

October 9: Scotland Yard opens “Operation Yewtree” to probe Savile allegations. Police later arrest comedian Freddie Starr, pop star Gary Glitter, former radio DJ Dave Lee Travis, PR guru Max Clifford and TV comedian Jim Davidson. All strongly deny any offences.

October 12: BBC announces two inquiries — one into the abandoning of the Newsnight show, and a second into the “culture and practices” of the BBC when Savile worked there.

November 11: BBC director general George Entwistle resigns after a separate Newsnight investigation into child abuse wrongly implicates a former senior Conservative politician.

— 2013 —

January 11: Scotland Yard and NSPCC release report into Savile abuse.