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BBC apology 'too little too late', says Dartford woman allegedly groped by Sir Jimmy Savile

Deborah Cogger, right, claims she was molested by Sir Jimmy Savile
Deborah Cogger, right, claims she was molested by Sir Jimmy Savile

Deborah Cogger, right, claims she was molested by Sir Jimmy Savile

by Lizzie Massey

The BBC's apology to women who claim they were abused by Sir Jimmy Savile is "too little too late", according to an alleged victim from Dartford.

Deborah Cogger, 52, claims the DJ groped and forcibly kissed her after she met him at a children's home 38 years ago as a teenager.

She said the corporation's apology was a step forward for some, "but that doesn't help all the others like me who were in care".

It comes as Scotland Yard today revealed it has more than 120 lines of inquiry following allegations of sexual assault by Savile.

The force said inquiries will go back more than 50 years and there could be as many as 30 victims - the youngest allegedly aged 13.

Jimmy Savile in Jim'll Fix It. Picture: BBC
Jimmy Savile in Jim'll Fix It. Picture: BBC

BBC Director General George Entwistle said: "The women involved here have gone through something awful, and something I deeply regret they should have had to go through, and I would like to apologise on behalf of the organisation to each and every one of them for what they've had to endure here."

He went on to say the BBC will be conducting an examination into the accusations once the police have conducted their own investigations.

However, mum-of-two Ms Cogger - who owns Deb's Diner, a mobile cafe in Northfleet - said: "We need somebody else to deal with our situation. I don't think an investigation will make much difference. It's all a bit late in the day now, isn't it?"

She feels the apology greater owed should come "from the people who were meant to be taking care of us as children - the people who didn't believe us and even punished us when we told them what was going on."

Ms Cogger was staying at a residential home for vulnerable teenage girls in Staines, Middlesex, in the 1970s when she met the BBC DJ Savile.

Since the news broke of Ms Cogger being one of Savile's alleged victims, she has faced a backlash of wariness from the community.

She said: "It has been really hard, really emotional. Last week I spent the whole week in tears, every day and every night but you've just got to be brave."

Ms Cogger appealed to other women who may also be suffering in silence.

"It eats away at you and if you've got anything like that in your background I really feel you should talk to someone about it. It makes it better if you can offload a little bit."

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