Point 1: Whether he is innocent or guilty of the alleged abuse, he is no longer here to defend himself. (This goes against what we expect from the justice system in our developed country.) Could that be why the media are making such a huge story?
Point 2: Young people very frequently keep quiet about abuse (from embarrassment/fear/feelings of guilt), then as they get older they do not want to bring the events up again for similar reasons.
Social attitudes in the 70s were quite different to attitudes today and such matters were often swept under the carpet by adults and others in positions of responsibility.
Point 3: A question for the celebrities who “heard the rumours” (Paul Gambaccini, Esther Rantzen etc) …. why did you not speak out? Especially if you went on to found Childline?