24/06/2008

Man And Woman Arrested In Jersey Case

A man and woman have been arrested in Jersey by detectives involved in the Historical Abuse Enquiry.

The Jersey police have said that a 70-year-old man and a 69-year-old man are currently in custody "in connection with a number of alleged grave and criminal assaults on children within the Jersey Care system in the 1960's and 1970's".

The pair were arrested this morning.

A spokesperson for the States of Jersey Police said that although the matters are connected to former care home Haut De La Gareene, it is not alleged that the crimes took place at the home.

No further details will be issued by the police unless the persons are charged.

Earlier this month, a fourth man was arrested in Jersey in connection with allegations of abuse.

It is understood that the man had been arrested on suspision of "serious crimes" at the former care home and elsewhere in Jersey.

Police also recovered another 14 milk teeth on 11 June.

To date, 27 children's teeth have been found in the gruesome excavation of the Haut de la Garenne site.

Tests show that at least five of the teeth found have come from at least two children. It is further reported that "it is very unlikely" that the teeth would have come out naturally before death.

Bones fragments have also been unearthed, of the 30 found, some have been cut while others have been burnt.

Leading the investigation, Deputy Chief Officer Lenny Harper said that 70 suspects are currently being questioned into claims made by 116 people who were formerly residents at the home.

Gordon Claude Wateridge - who worked as a warden at the home - was the first person to be charged in connection with the abuse allegations. He will appear before court on 9 June and 7 July.

Claude Donnelly is the second person charged as part of a wider inquiry into alleged child abuse in Jersey and is also charged with forcing the girl to carry out an act of gross indecency.

On 30 May, a third man was arrested in connection with the ongoing Historical Abuse Enquiry.

There is an ongoing investigation into a pit dug in the 1970s or 1980s while a bath, shackles and blood stained items have also been found.

The home opened in June 1867 as the Jersey Industrial School for "young people of the lower classes of society and neglected children".

It became Haut de la Garenne in 1960 - which translates as rabbit warren - and closed in 1986.

See: Third Arrest Made In Jersey Home Probe

More Bone Fragments Found At Children's Home In Jersey

(DS)

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