Charity boss quits over comments

The charity ran a club for the elderly and disabled

A charity boss who claimed that victims who were sexually assaulted by one of his organisation's drivers "probably deserved it" has resigned.

The club run by Paul Miller has also been disbanded in the wake of the controversy sparked by his comments to the BBC last month.

He was speaking after voluntary driver Henry Spalding admitted indecently assaulting two men with learning difficulties.

Paul Miller founded Delta 25 years ago

His views led to an inquiry by Aberdeen City Council, which also suspended its use of the organisation.

Delta ran a Sunday social club for the elderly and people with disabilities in a hall at the Royal Cornhill Hospital in Aberdeen.

The hospital also withdrew that facility last month following the comments.

Mr Miller, who set up Delta, has now resigned as president of the organisation.

It has been disbanded and will meet for the last time in October for a party to mark its 25th birthday.

Learning difficulties

Kathy Jungto, one of those who attended the club, said its users were "very disappointed" by the move.

"It was somewhere to go on a Sunday for people who did not have anybody," she said.

Mr Miller's comments to BBC Scotland followed the court case involving Mr Spalding, who is due to be sentenced at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Mr Miller, 84, said the victims were weak individuals and had probably deserved it.

Henry Spalding admitted indecent assault charges

He also said that people with learning difficulties brought down the ethos of Delta.

Aberdeen City Council has now ended its inquiry into the organisation.

The comments had shocked Labour Councillor David Maitland, the deputy convener of its community services committee.

"What we are looking at is the wider picture, not only in Aberdeen but in the rest of the country," he said.

"There are organisations that are not open to audit and have no scrutiny whatsoever."

The city council is now appealing for other organisations to come forward and fill the gap left by Delta.