Television presenter Jimmy Savile dressed as a doctor at Leeds General in the 1970s. Jimmy Savile raped and sexually assaulted vulnerable hospital patients over almost 50 years, an NHS inquiry into his Òdepraved activitiesÓ found today. The Òopportunistic sexual predatorÓ was given his own set of keys to two hospitals and allowed to roam the wards in search of victims. There were reports of Òincredibly disturbingÓ activity with dead bodies at Leeds General Infirmary, including claims that he wore ÒhugeÓ rings made from glass eyes taken from bodies. An investigation into his behaviour at 28 NHS trusts today revealed the shocking extent of how he used his celebrity status to escape suspicion and leave his victims too frightened to complain. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday June 26, 2014. See PA story HEALTH Savile. Photo credit should read: PA/PA Wire
Television presenter Jimmy Savile abused hundreds of children (Picture: PA Wire)

Senior police officers have been told to stop bombarding lawyers with case files on dead suspects.

This comes as historic child sex offences continue to pile up, despite the accused having died, the Independent reports.

epa05305046 (FILE) A file image dated 26 June 2006 showing a woman walking past a sign in front of the world headquarters building of Pfizer Inc. in New York, USA. New York-based Pfizer Inc. released a statement on 13 May 2016 saying it would restrict the use of its products in lethal injections in USA. With its decision, Pfizer, largest pharmaceutical company of the world, became one of more than 20 international companies that have blocked the usage of their products for lethal injections, often used in executions. EPA/JUSTIN LANE Pfizer stops blocks use of its drugs for death sentences Crown Prosecution Service director Alison Saunders had to remind officers that paedophiles like Jimmy Savile can never be posthumously put to justice.

In a statement, published on the CPS website, she said: ‘Since deceased persons cannot be prosecuted, the CPS will not make a charging decision in respect of a suspect who is deceased.

‘This applies in all cases where the suspect is deceased, including cases in which the police made a referral to the CPS for a charging decision prior to the suspect’s death. The CPS will also not make hypothetical charging decisions.’

Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, poses for a photograph in her office in London.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, said lawyers will not offer hypothetical advice on charging the dead (Picture: PA Wire)

But more victims are stepping forward to report past abuse.

Operation Hydrant, which focuses on cases of ‘non-recent’ child sex abuse, has seen a huge increase in the number of investigations.

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Historic child sex abuse cases

Operation Hydrant, in liaison with the Goddard inquiry, has more than 2,228 cases on its database

302 of these involve people of public prominence

286 of these involve dead suspects

Last month, former head of Britain’s police chiefs, Sir Hugh Orde, called for less time and money to be spent on historic child abuse cases and more attention given to current ones.

He called it a ‘back to front’ way of using limited resources.

But prosecutors now anticipate the number of historic cases will continue to rise as the Goddard inquiry begins its public hearings.

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What is the Goddard inquiry?

The Goddard inquiry is An Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)

It was launched after investigations into the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal revealed widespread abuse

The inquiry is about to look into the alleged cover-ups in Lambeth, the Catholic church, and the Church of England and Westminster

Saunders said police can continue an investigation if a suspect died during the inquiry in case there are still living suspects linked to them.

But she added lawyers will not offer ‘hypothetical advice’ on charging the dead.