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Dartford mother Deborah Cogger claims she was molested by Sir Jimmy Savile aged 14

By: Danny Boyle

Published: 09:09, 03 October 2012

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

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

by Julia Roberts

A mum-of-two has broken a 38-year silence to claim TV star Sir Jimmy Savile molested her when she was 14.

Deborah Cogger, from Dartford, alleges the flamboyant DJ groped and forcibly kissed her after she met him at a children's home.

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The 52-year-old, who runs a mobile cafe in Northfleet, has joined a growing number of women who claim they were abused by the late presenter.

Ms Cogger branded Savile, who died last year aged 84, a "dangerous sexual predator".

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

She was staying at a residential home for vulnerable teenage girls in Staines, Middlesex, in the 1970s when she met the TV legend and charity fundraiser.

Ms Cogger said Savile grabbed her during their first meeting.

"He would sidle around the room grabbing hold of everybody and giving his moves," she told a TV reporter.

"And then he sat himself in the chair next to me, pulled me back onto his lap and assaulted me. He stuck his tongue down into my mouth. It was horrible.

"Afterwards the other girls said 'You should have known. If he puts his cigar down that's when he is making his move.'"

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Ms Cogger also told a national newspaper Savile would bring cigarettes, sweets and records for the girls - and had his "favourites".

She added that she tried to avoid him during his subsequent visits to the now-defunct home, but on one occasion he "leered" at her, stating: "You've grown", while trying to touch her chest.

Ms Cogger, who owns Debs Diner in Northfleet, alleged the home knew what was happening - but staff dismissed it as "just his way".

"Their staff knew, they knew, but wouldn’t have a word said against him."

Jimmy Savile during his days presenting Jim'll Fix It. Picture: BBC

Jimmy Savile during his days presenting Jim'll Fix It. Picture: BBC

Asked why she has finally spoken out, Ms Cogger said: "People should know what a pervert Jimmy Savile was.

"I want the world to know Savile molested me and other girls. He was a bad, bad man."

She added: "People had their lives ruined. No one believed us then. I hope it's different now."

An ITV1 documentary, ITV's Exposure: The Other Side of Jimmy Savile, is due to be screened tonight.

The TV star's family have vehemently denied the allegations.

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