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Jersey search enters second week Jersey home witness 'intimidated'
(about 15 hours later)
Jersey police are continuing their excavations at a former children's home, as the searches linked to a child abuse inquiry enter a second week. Police have issued a warning after claims an ex-worker at the Jersey care home at the centre of a child abuse inquiry has intimidated a witness.
A child's skull was found at Haut de La Garenne a week ago and searches have extended to its cellar and grounds. Deputy police chief Lenny Harper said any such behaviour would be dealt with as a "serious criminal offence".
A makeshift trap door leading down to the bricked up cellar has been found and two more people have come forward alleging they were victims of abuse. Around 160 people claim they were abused at Haut de la Garenne, where a child's remains were found last week.
Police have said the searches could last for weeks. Forensic experts are continuing to excavate its cellars and suspect there may be four bricked-up chambers.
'Serious sexual crimes' Mr Harper told reporters police had been able to substantiate "to some degree" reports that someone had been approached by a former care worker.
Twelve detectives from forces across England and Wales have been requested to help and the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) has activated its national information and co-ordination centre. "I can't emphasise too much that anyone approaching victims or witnesses in this case could well be found to be perverting the course of justice," he warned.
It was most recently used to aid the investigation into the murders of five women in Suffolk at the end of 2006. "The police will not tolerate it. We will not stand for it and we will deal with anyone who does."
Ex-residents relive memoriesCouple to help with inquiryEx-residents relive memoriesCouple to help with inquiry
On Friday, Deputy Police Chief Lenny Harper said the two latest possible abuse victims had made "allegations of serious sexual crimes" and that members of the public had indicated other areas of interest. Mr Harper estimated it could take a month to finish tests on the human remains found so far, which he conceded could pre-date the investigation.
A set of shackles has been recovered from a chamber in the cellar, which police say corroborates some of the evidence from former residents of the home. "It's also a distinct possibility that the person didn't die unlawfully. The truth of the matter is we just don't know," he said.
Conditions in the cellar are said to be cramped and a forensic archaeologist has been sifting through large piles of rubble and soil. Twelve detectives from forces across England and Wales have been requested to help with the investigation.
Mr Harper said a second underground room adjoining the first had still to be searched. Excavations at the site are also being assisted by a forensic archaeologist and a forensic anthropologist.
It is understood to be the same size as the first - about 12ft square and 8ft high - and also bricked up. Officers have already excavated one bricked up chamber. A second chamber, yet to be broken into, is next to it and detectives believe there could be two more connected to that.
He said police were determined not to destroy vital clues by hurrying their search of the first room in order to get to the next. A set of shackles has been recovered from the chamber in the cellar, which police say corroborates some of the evidence from former residents.
'Nothing to hide''Nothing to hide'
Some 160 people have said they were abused at Haut de la Garenne. On Friday, Tony and Morag Jordan, of Kirriemuir, in Angus, Scotland, who worked as house parents at Haut de la Garenne from 1971 to 1984, have insisted they have "nothing to hide".
Tony and Morag Jordan, of Kirriemuir, in Angus, Scotland, who worked as house parents at Haut de la Garenne from 1971 to 1984, have insisted they have "nothing to hide".
In a statement issued through their solicitors, the couple said they would help police with their inquiries.In a statement issued through their solicitors, the couple said they would help police with their inquiries.
The former Haute de la Garenne home care home and Jersey Sea Cadets are the main focus of an investigation into the sexual and physical abuse of boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 15 dating back over several decades. The former care home and Jersey Sea Cadets are the main focus of an investigation into the sexual and physical abuse of boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 15 dating back over several decades.
In January, Gordon Claude Wateridge, 76, was charged with indecently assaulting three girls aged under 16 at the home between 1969 and 1979. In January, Gordon Claude Wateridge, 76, was charged with indecently assaulting three girls aged under 16 at the home between 1969 and 1979.
Are you in Jersey? Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.Are you in Jersey? Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
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