Jersey victims failed by legal system, says ex-police chief

The former head of the Jersey child abuse investigation tonight slammed the island’s legal system, claiming they delayed prosecutions and were held in “contempt” by victims.

Lenny Harper retired from his role as deputy chief officer of the States of Jersey Police this month after two years leading one of Britain’s biggest child abuse inquiries.

The case centred on the former children’s home Haut de la Garenne, where more than 100 people claim they were abused and the remains of five children were found.

Mr Harper, who has retired to Ayrshire, Scotland, told BBC News that victims would give statements and his team would put together a file, but then they would run into “inexplicable delays”.

He said they felt like “the goalposts were being moved” and the decision-making process for the Jersey legal system appeared to be “whenever, wherever”.

He said: “The legal system has to accept the reality of the situation.

“They are not trusted at all by the victims.

“They are held in contempt by the vast majority of the victims.”

Mr Harper said a dedicated lawyer they were promised “just wasn’t there” and for long periods they had no legal assistance.

More than 100 former residents at Haut de la Garenne, which closed in 1986, have alleged that they were physically and sexually abused.

The police investigation has concentrated on the period between 1960 and 1980, although some allegations of abuse date back to 1945.

Forensic teams uncovered secret underground chambers which some victims referred to as “punishment rooms” where they were kept in solitary confinement, drugged, beaten and raped.

They found the partial remains of five children as well as a blood-stained bath and shackles.

The search also included a Second World War bunker near to the home where victims claim they were taken.

So far three people have been charged and are awaiting trial on the island, but Mr Harper believes that had they not run into so many delays more people could be going through the courts.

He said one victim came to see him two months ago and told him: “Nobody would listen.”

Mr Harper said these victims were being denied “the service they deserved”.

Jersey’s Attorney General, William Bailhache QC, said in a statement that his department has received six files, of which three had resulted in charges, two were under review and one was the subject of further police inquiries.

He said: “We have a good working relationship with the police, which is ongoing.

“We will fulfil our functions independently and professionally.”