Jersey: trial of former Haut de la Garenne warden adjourned

The trial of a former warden at the Haut de la Garenne children’s home has been adjourned until April 14.

Gordon Wateridge, 76, was released on bail after appearing in St Helier Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

He is charged with three alleged offences of historic indecent assaults on girls under 16 committed between 1969 and 1979 at the former home, which closed in 1986. He is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

Wateridge did not enter a plea in court yesterday and spoke only to confirm his name.

The former warden, who was arrested in January, is the first person to be charged as part of the ongoing police investigation into alleged abuse at Haut de la Garenne.

Police said yesterday their team were carrying out “slow and painstaking work” at the site, where what is believed to be a fragment of a child’s skull was found in February. Results of tests on the fragment are expected next week.

Police also confirmed that there were three bloodspots on a bath found in the first of two cellars they are examining.

An independent advisory group has been set up to oversee the work of the inquiry team, with the aim of “preventing rumour or misinformation” from damaging the investigation, a police spokeswoman said.

More information

Jersey Police

Related articles

Jersey: Former police officers accused of interfering with inquiry

Island’s safeguarding chief ‘shocked’ by revelations

Jersey abuse team makes new finding at Haut de la Garenne

Jersey: police suggest third cellar

Jersey: MPs demand independent inquiry into abuse

Jersey: child abuse allegations multiply

Ongoing abuse inquiry unearths child’s remains in former home

Jersey Police investigate child abuse allegations