Third man arrested in Jersey sex abuse probe

A MAN has been arrested in connection with allegations of sexual abuse at the Haut de la Garenne former children’s home on Jersey, police said yesterday.

The 45-year-old suspect was detained in the UK on Thursday over offences alleged to have taken place in the 1970s and 1980s.

He is the third man to be arrested as part of a continuing historic abuse inquiry on the island.

A spokeswoman for Jersey Police said: “The States of Jersey Police can confirm that a third man has been arrested in connection with the ongoing historical abuse inquiry.

“This is in connection with alleged serious sexual crimes at Haut de la Garenne in the 1970s and early 1980s.

“The arrest of the man, 45, who is Jersey-born, took place in the UK.”

“The man was brought back to Jersey last night and is in custody at police headquarters.”

The suspect is the third man to be arrested in connection with alleged child abuse at Haut de la Garenne.

Gordon Claude Wateridge, 76, originally from Croydon, south London, is charged with three offences of indecent assault on girls under 16 between 1969 and 1979.

Claude Donnelly, 68, of St Brelade, is charged with raping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl on Jersey between 1971 and 1974.

Neither man has entered a plea.

Another man has been arrested as part of the wider abuse inquiry.

The latest arrest came as detectives said new tests had proved “beyond doubt” that the remains of more than one child have been found at Haut de la Garenne.