‘Beast of Jersey’ played Santa Claus

NOTORIOUS Jersey paedophile Edward Paisnel used to visit Haut de la Garenne dressed as Father Christmas to give the children toys and sweets, it emerged yesterday.

Paisnel, dubbed the Beast of Jersey, was jailed for 30 years in 1971 after being convicted of 13 counts of assault, rape and sodomy.

He lived in St Martin, close to Haut de la Garenne and after the trial his wife Joan wrote a book claiming Paisnel used to visit the care home to take gifts to the children, who he asked to call him “Uncle Ted”.

Court reports from the time revealed Paisnel avoided capture because he was a respected businessman, husband, and guardian of several foster children.

Mrs Paisnel said every year “Uncle Ted” appeared at Haut de la Garenne dressed as Father Christmas, to hand out sweets and toys.

Behind a cupboard in his home, police found books on black magic and witchcraft and an altar draped with black velvet.

Police said yesterday they are not connecting Paisnel, who died in 1994, to their current inquiry.

The only person charged in connection with the investigation is Gordon Wateridge. The 76-year-old worked at Haut de la Garenne between 1969 and 1979 and is charged with three offences of indecent assault on girls under 16.