In what is looking like even more light at the end of the celebrity witch-hunt tunnel, Liverpool-born comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, generally known to his friends as Tarby, was released from bail without any charges for child abuse, after nearly a year of suspense.
The North Yorkshire police, who were investigating accusations made by six complainants, presented their file to the Crown Prosecution Service in November 2013. CPS have declined to proceed further and issued the following statement:
" This file of evidence included six allegations made by six separate complainants. All the complaints have been reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, and the CPS legal guidance on rape and sexual offences. We have determined that there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction in relation to all complaints, and have advised North Yorkshire Police that no further action should be taken. All those involved have been informed of the decisions, and we have offered to meet with the complainants should they wish to have the decisions explained in person."
Tarby is kind to his accusers, understands that they might not be well, and doesn't blame the police for doing their job. He's home in Kingston on Thames again, and apparently enjoyed a couple of glasses of vino and a nice dinner to celebrate, in the company of his wife Pauline, to whom he has been married since at least 1965.
This must have been hell to go through.
Parenthetically, Tarby attended Dovedale junior school in Liverpool with one John Winston Lennon, who allegedly spiked his drink with speed! Ah, halcyon days, eh Tarby?! George Harrison also attended Dovedale.
Tarby, like John and George, went on to earn his keep in show business, and also did well. His daughter, Liza Tarbuck, is a well-known actress and television personality.
So now Tarby joins the growing list of celebrities who are being acquitted or released without charges. I note that the hand-wringing/rabble-rousing term "victim" is now being replaced by the more cautious "complainants."
Ahem, just a reminder folks, nobody is a victim until evidence is presented and the accused has been found guilty, either by a bench trial or a jury of his/her peers. And until they are, in a court of law, the accused is presumed innocent until proven otherwise; let alone they also have the right of habeas corpus. Let's keep our minds firmly set on that doctrine, and then let justice prevail. Not based on false accusations by people who might not be well.
Tarby also notes, " a group of women "jumped on the bandwagon" after his arrest became public last year. "‘They claimed I had made inappropriate sexual advances during Top of the Pops in 1963, he said. ‘Not only have I never met these women, I have never appeared on Top of the Pops – which in any event didn’t start until 1964." The worst year imaginable.
So, playbook to date:
Dave Lee Travis: The former Radio 1 star was acquitted on 12 of 14 sex assault charges made against him. He will be retried on two allegations, which a jury failed to agree. (What's your guess on this outcome? Thought so. - Ed.)
William Roache - The Coronation Street actor was cleared last month of sex charges dating back to the 1960s. The 81-year-old always maintained his innocence, and blamed hysteria after the Jimmy Savile scandal on 'money-grabbing' women who falsely accused him.
Gary Glitter: The former pop star was arrested on October 28, 2012, on sex abuse allegations. The 69-year-old convicted paedophile has now been on bail for a year and a half as officers piece together their case. (Get over it. He paid the price. Don't make the British taxpayer do the same. - Ed.)
Freddie Starr: The comedian was initially arrested on November 1, 2012 and has since been rearrested three times after fresh allegations emerged from further alleged sex assault victims. He is now taking High Court action after he was re-bailed again on Wednesday until April, despite assurances that a charge or release decision would be made prior to that. His lawyers say the decision to keep the 71-year-old on bail is unlawful due to the extraordinary length of time the investigation is taking. (He is being denied his habeas corpus rights A travesty. - Ed.)
Wilfred De’ath: The former BBC producer was arrested on November 11, 2012 on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, but was released without charge after a woman withdrew a complaint against him. The 76-year-old has blasted police for being ‘overzealous’, pursuing ‘spurious’ claims, and failing ‘lamentably’ to stop Jimmy Savile’s reign of terror while he was still alive. (This slimeball is entitled to his opinions, but stop with the 'reign of terror' rubbish - Ed.)
Jim Davidson: The comedian was arrested on January 2, last year on suspicion of sexual offences, but the 60-year-old Big Brother winner was later told he would not face further action.
Mike Osman: The 54-year-old radio DJ was arrested on January 2, last year on suspicion of sex offences but was told he will not face any charges last August.
Max Clifford: The public relations expert was arrested on December 6, 2012. In April the 70-year-old was charged with 11 counts of indecent assault on teenage girls. (So far, all we know is that Max had a penis the size of a peanut. Size apparently doesn't matter when the 'victim' is being offered a movie role - Ed.)
David Smith: The former driver who worked for the BBC was found dead at his home on the first day of his trial in October last year. The 67-year-old was arrested in December 2012 and charged in April last year with abusing a 12-year-old boy in 1984. (Just a reminder - there is no record that Mr. Smith worked for the BBC. He may have been a contract limo driver - Ed.)
Ted Beston: The former BBC radio producer was arrested on December 19, 2012. In May last year it was announced that the 77-year-old would not face any further action.
Rolf Harris: The 83-year-old Australian entertainer was questioned under caution on November 29, 2012 and then arrested on March 28 last year. He has been charged with 12 indecent assaults of young girls and four counts of making indecent images of children. He is due to face trial in April. (Not sure how this will play out. Likely acquittal - Ed.)
Paul Gambaccini: The radio presenter was arrested on October 29 last year on suspicion of sexual offences. He has been bailed by police until March. (Oh the irony! Gambaccini - among the first to finger point at Jimmy Savile - gone from accuser to accused! )
Chris Denning: The Radio 1 DJ was first arrested on Monday, June 3. He has since been re-arrested twice over alleged sexual offences. The 72-year-old has been bailed until March.
Investigations by other UK forces
Stuart Hall: The broadcaster was arrested in December 2012 and in April last year pleaded guilty to 14 charges of indecent assault. He is currently serving 30 months in prison. Last October he was charged with 16 new offences including rape and sexual assault. (Should never have taken the deal - Ed.)
Ray Teret: The former chauffeur of DJ Jimmy Savile was arrested on 8 November 2012 by Greater Manchester Police on historic sex allegations. He was charged with a total of 32 offences spanning several decades, including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency involving 14 children and a 17-year-old girl. He is currently awaiting trial. (Did I miss something? A 17 year old? Isn't that over the age of consent? - Ed.)
And let's not forget Michael LeVell, another Coronation Street regular, who was also acquitted of all charges.