'Remains of five youngsters' found at Jersey home

7/31/2008 - 8:00:49 AM

Jersey police have discovered the partial remains of at least five youngsters at Haut de la Garenne, the former children’s home at the centre of the island’s child abuse investigation, it was revealed.

However, the grim discoveries may not result in a murder inquiry because experts have been unable to pinpoint when the children died, the detective leading the investigation will tell BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

Deputy Chief Officer Lenny Harper, from States of Jersey Police, will say there are difficulties dating teeth and bone fragments from the children, who are believed to have been aged between four and 11.

“At the end of the day there may not be the evidence there to mount a homicide inquiry and an attempt to bring anybody to justice for whatever crimes took place there,” he will say.

Police have evidence the bodies were burned and attempts were made to conceal the bodies in the late 60s to early 70s, he will say.