Haut de la Garenne

Jersey Child Abuse – Story Archive

On this page, we’re collating our on-air coverage of the Haut de la Garenne developments and the latest on the child abuse investigation.  If you’ve missed any aspect of the coverage, the following should prove useful:

Monday 25 February

Morning News:

MAIN STORY:  Jersey Police are searching for more bodies at Haut de la Garenne in St Martin.  They're looking at six more sites.  A sniffer dog - which has been used in the search for Madeleine McCann - found the remains of a child beneath thick concrete on Saturday morning.  Deputy police chief Lenny Harper says the animal's leading the hunt for clues.

SYSTEMATIC:  Officers are acting on intelligence arising from the on going investigation into child abuse.  The inquiry spans decades and involves dozens of suspects.  It's led former health minister Senator Stuart Syvret to lash out at what he calls a systemic failure in child care.  He was sacked from his role last autumn after voicing concerns about children's services.  Chief Minister Frank Walker says the police will be given all the help they need.

REMAINS:  The remains already found have been sent to the UK for analysis.  Officers are expected to continue searching at the former care home for another two weeks.

Afternoon News:

MAIN STORY:  A sniffer dog is searching Jersey's Haut de la Garenne for more bodies.  It follows the discovery of the remains of a child beneath thick concrete on Saturday morning.  Police are now looking at six more sites.  Deputy police chief Lenny Harper says the dog leading the hunt for clues was also used in the search for Madeleine McCann.

CELLAR:  It could take weeks before the Police can excavate a bricked up cellar under Haut de la Garenne.  A sniffer dog has indicated there could be more human remains inside.  On Saturday parts of a child's skeleton were found beneath thick concrete.  Police started searching the former children's care home after three separate sources told them there could be remains there.  All three had been at the children's home in the past but didn't know each other.  Meanwhile Police are going through records of children who spent time at the home and may be unaccounted for.  Deputy Police Chief Lenny Harper says thousands have been there over the years.

COVER-UP:  Former health minister Senator Stuart Syvret is accusing officials of a cover-up.  But Chief Minister Frank Walker says he has no evidence for his claims.

Tuesday 26 February

Morning News:

MAIN STORY:  The Chief Minister has made a statement in the States today following the discovery of child's remains at Haut de la Garenne.  Senator Walker asked other politicians to say a prayer for the victim - whoever he or she is.  He also warned the house not to say anything publicly that may jeopardise the police investigation - especially with the nation's media focusing on events in the island.

SYVRET:  Senator Stuart Syvret left today's States sitting to speak to a large crowd of national media in the Royal Square.  He'd called a press conference to say how he feels there's been a cover up by the island's authorities.  The former Health minister spoke about a sexual abuse case at Victoria College several years ago.  He told reporters it was another example of a cover up.

TOURISM:  The Youth Hostel Association say Haut de la Garenne will be closed until the end of April.  This is to make sure police have enough time to finish their investigations.  Jersey Tourism say they will help people booked in there to find alternative accommodation.

SKELETON:  Jersey police say there is no way of knowing whether the remains found at Haut de la Garenne will ever be able to be dated.  A child's skeleton was recovered on Saturday by a specialist team using a victim recovery dog.  Information from three different people, who lived in the home but didn't know each other, led to the find.  The building will returned to the Youth Hostel Association when the investigation is complete and repair work is done.

Afternoon News:

MAIN STORY:  Investigations continue today into the possibility more bodies will be found at Haut de la Garenne.  Police are now focusing on a bricked up cellar underneath the former children's care home.  The Council of Ministers say Jersey Police will be given all the help they need in their investigations at Haut de la Garenne.  They held an emergency meeting yesterday and agreed that child protection is their highest priority.  The Police have been investigating allegations of physical and sexual abuse in some of the island's institutions spanning over four decades.  But the Council of Ministers say they're confident today's child protection arrangements DO protect the most vulnerable children in Jersey.  They add that no States workers with access to children now have been implicated in the investigations.

PROTECT:  Education say every step possible is now taken to protect the island's children.  Senator Stuart Syvret's released a confidential report on child abuse to the media.  It made recommendations following sexual abuse at Victoria College in the late eighties and early nineties.  Education Minister Senator Mike Vibert says he wants to reassure islanders all those recommendations were followed up and strict procedures are now in place.

COVER-UP:  High level cover ups and a culture of conspiracy.  That's what Senator Stuarty Syvret has told the national media about the island.  He left today's States sitting today to speak to a large crowd of journalists in the Royal Square.  The Senator called a press conference to say how he feels there's been a cover up by authorities following allegations of child abuse in the island's institutions.  The former Health minister spoke about the Jervis Dykes sexual abuse case at Victoria College several years ago.  He handed out a confidential report which followed the case.  Senator Syvret told reporters it was another example of a cover up.

COUNSELLING:  A counselling service has been set up to help islanders affected by the discovery of the child's skeleton.  The States say it's for anyone who wants to discuss their feelings impartially with a clinical psychologist.  And the NSPCC say they are also there to offer independent support.  Since the police started their investigations into allegations of wide spread sexual abuse in the island they have had sixty nine calls.

CELLAR:  Jersey Police are taking advice from a structural engineer about getting into parts of Haut de la Garenne.  A sniffer dog has indicated their could be human remains inside a cellar running underneath the former children's home.  Nothing else has been found since the discovery of the child's skeleton on Saturday.

Wednesday 27 February

Morning News:

MAIN STORY:  Jersey police are starting excavation work on a bricked up cellar at Haute de la Garenne today.  Although they tried to gain access a couple of days ago, they were unsuccessful at that time.  Today sees a further attempt to find a safe route into the cellar, with advice from structural engineers.  According to the Chief Officer, Graham Power, witness accounts and scientific advice points to the likelihood of finding evidence in the area.

CHILDREN:  Education say every step possible is now taken to protect the island's children.  Senator Stuart Syvret released a confidential report on child abuse to the media yesterday.  It made recommendations following sexual abuse at Victoria College in the late eighties and early nineties.  Education Minister Senator Mike Vibert says he wants to reassure islanders all the recommendations were followed up and strict procedures are now in place.

PRAYERS:  Gouray church was packed last night for a service of prayer and reflection for those effected by events at Haut de la Garenne.  In the small church situated below the former children's home, around three hundred islanders came together.  Prayers were offered for those who had endured mistreatment, investigators, and childcare providers.  The service was led by the Reverend Canon Dr Peter Williams and the Dean of Jersey Bob Key.

MORNING UPDATE:  Work is progressing slowly on excavating a cellar at Haut de la Garenne.  Jersey police say nothing has yet been found as they penetrate the basement of the former children's care home.  Their investigations follow the discovery of a child’s remains at the home on Saturday.  The Chief Officer, Graham Power, says an attempt made earlier this week to penetrate the cellar was unsuccessful.

Afternoon News:

MAIN STORY:  Police have now been inside a bricked up cellar underneath Haut de la Garenne.  Officers say what they've found coroborates what victims have told them.  They will now sift through items inside - a sniffer dog has shown interest in something but police won't say at this stage what it is.

CALLS:  Police have had about seventy calls about the cellar since parts of a child's skeleton were found at the weekend.  Some say they were abused there.  Over two hundred people have now come forward in relation to the ongoing child abuse investigation.  There are around forty suspects and up to two hundred victims in the investigation in child abuse.

Thursday 28 February

Morning News:

MAIN STORY:  Police are investigating claims of a third hidden cellar at the former children's care home, Haut de la Garenne.  They have been contacted by staff who used to work there, suggesting there may be another secret room.  Two cellar rooms are already being investigated.

FINDS:  Jersey Police say have made a couple of significant finds as they sift through the first cellar underneath Haut de la Garenne.  They don't want to say what these items are but they relate to what victims have told them.  There haven't been any more human remains found since the discovery of parts of a child's skeleton on Saturday.  Work has not begun excavating the second and third rooms.  Deputy Police Chief Lenny Harper say it will take some time to investigate.

Afternoon News:

MAIN STORY:  Another former resident of Haut de la Garenne has spoken out.  Frederick Carpenter was there during the war years.  He remembers a culture of bullying by older boys but not sexual abuse.  He says it could have been stopped had the problems been addressed earlier.

Friday 29 February

Morning News:

MAIN STORY:  Jersey Police say their search of the first cellar underneath Haut de la Garenne could last until next week.  It's very dusty and forensics are working their way slowly through the room.  Police have made two significant finds there so far.  It's not clear what the items are - but no more human remains have been discovered.  A search is also being made in a field below Haut de la Garenne.  Meanwhile, officers are continuing to track down as many ex residents and workers at the home.

POLITICS:  The political points scoring row continues.  Stuart Syvret called his own press conference with the national media earlier this week.  Yesterday it was the turn of the Chief Minister.  Senator Frank Walker said it was to quash claims Senator Syvret was sacked for whistle blowing.  Senator Syvret turned up at the press conference - but when he spoke at the end they started clearing up around him.

Afternoon News:

Police searching secret chambers in the basement of a Haut de la Garenne say detailed forensic evidence may have survived intact.  Officers are understood to have already found a set of shackles and a shallow bath, after excavating bricked up cellars.  And deputy police chief Lenny Harper says they've also discovered a trap door.

Saturday 1 March

MAIN STORY: Jersey police investigating claims of child abuse are warning anybody involved not to try and intimidate alleged victims.  It's after one person said they'd been approached by someone who once worked at the former care home.

Sunday 2 March

MAIN STORY: There could be four secret rooms under Haut de la Garenne.  They've been, described as punishment rooms by some of the alleged victims.  Forensic archaeologist, Karl Harrison, says the way the building's been developed can help date his finds.

Monday 3 March

Morning News:

MAIN STORY:  Excavation work at Haut de la Garenne starts again today after being scaled back yesterday to give investigators a rest.  Police teams have worked virtually non-stop since the discovery of a child's skull over a week ago.  It's now believed there are four secret rooms under the former children's home where victims were abused.

BONES:  Archaeologists working at Haut de la Garenne have found more possible bone fragments.  They were discovered at the same site where the piece of human skull was found last week.  Police say a sniffer dog has indicated they could be human remains.

Afternoon News:

MAIN STORY:  Twelve new detectives from the UK joined the investigation team today.  It brings the total number of full-time investigators to 25.  More than 100 people have told police they were abused at the home in the sixties, seventies and eighties.  Deputy police chief Lenny Harper says they are looking at bringing in more staff to answer calls.

Tuesday 4 March

Morning News:

MAIN STORY: Experts are examining more items taken away from Haut de la Garenne. They were taken from the same site where part of a child's skull was found just over a week ago. Search teams have found more bones in the grounds - most have been identifies as animal bones but a few still need to be tested. Police have received more than a hundred complaints dating back to the sixties. Deputy police chief Lenny Harper says there's still a long way to go.

TOURISM: Jersey Tourism says it's suspended all its television and newspaper advertisements. It doesn't think it's appropriate to run ads whilst the investigation at Haut de le Garenne remains in the national headlines. The decision will be reviewed week by week.

RED-HERRING?: Deputy Chief of Police Lenny Harper says the investigation doesn't hinge on the piece of skull. Forensic tests hope to date the find in the next couple of weeks. He was asked if he thought it may have come from the Faldouet Dolman's - a Neolithic buriel site nearby. He says they have no evidence to suggest this.

Afternoon News:

MAIN STORY: A specialist military team has been called in to help the police search at Haut de le Garenne. The team of three will use hi-tech radar equipment to help forensic officers. An automatic sieving machine is also being brought in to sort the excavated material.Seventy victims have come forward since a piece of child's skull was found there last week and more than 150 calls have been received.

SUSPECTS: Police now have over forty suspects. The officer in charge of the case - Lenny Harper - was asked if he thought suspects might try to leave Jersey. He says they have a team continuously on duty at the port and if they receive any intelligence they are trying to leave then the suspects will be stopped. He says they can't arrest suspects until they have built a strong case that will stand up in court.

Wednesday 5 March

Morning news:

MAIN STORY: A specialist military team using radar equipment are continuing the search at Haut de le Garenne. The equipment's picked up disturbed earth - but it's thought this may have been caused during the filming of Bergerac. The series dug up the grounds for some of its sets. Police hope to begin excavating the second - of four cellars - by the end of this week. Over one hundred and forty people have alleged they were harmed at the former children's home.

RALLY ORGANISED: A rally to remember the victims of child abuse is being held in the Royal Square this Saturday. It's been organised by a group called 'Time For Change' which met through social networking site Facebook. Event spokesman Montfort Tadier believes there's a lot of disillusionment in the way Jersey is governed. The rally starts at midday this Saturday with a minute's silence.

Thursday 6 March

LEAKED EMAIL: Another local politician's come under the national media spotlight in the Haut de le Garenne case. A newspaper's reporting that the Health Minister's criticised the investigation. The Daily Mail says Senator Ben Shenton sent an internal email ridiculing the investigation and mocking Lenny Harper - the officer in charge of the case. He's also reported as questioning why the media were told child's body parts were found - when this wasn't the case. Mr. Harper has responded saying Senator Shenton's 'very personal attack' is 'childish and bizarre'. He's called it unhelpful to the victims and the investigation.

Meanwhile Senator Shenton says the newspaper has picked what they wanted out of the email. He apologises if it but says it raises legitimate political questions about how reports of a child's body being found - when it was a fragment of skull - first came about.

Friday 7 March

BLOOD FOUND: Traces of blood have been found at Haut de la Garenne. Police say a specially trained dog indicated two areas within the large bath found in the first cellar under the former Children's Home. Further tests have confirmed the presence of blood, although detectives say there could be an innocent explanation. Officers are hoping to get into the second cellar early next week.

WILLIAMSON REVIEW: Andrew Williamson - who was asked to conduct an independent review by the Council of Ministers last year has given an interim report. Mr. Williamson says a number of organisational and structural changes will be recommended. He says the island needs to continue getting input from outside organisations like Childline and the NSPCC. He will recommend that Jersey has a specific Minister for Children. He says he's got no evidence that any young people are currently at risk. Over the past six months Mr. Williamson has interviewed seventy people - some of whom came forward after he placed an ad in the JEP. He's also carried out a number of unannounced visits at institutions like Greenfields.

Saturday 8 March

VIGIL IN ROYAL SQUARE: There's a rally in the Royal Square this afternoon. It's to remember victims of child abuse and call for political change. There'll be a minute's silence at midday and white boards for islanders to put their comments on.The rally's been organised by a group called 'Time for Change' and has been heavily supported through social network site Facebook. Spokesperson Montford tadier says support for the rally hasn't just come from Jersey. He says victims of abuse have contacted him to say they're pleased with what they're doing because  it's focusing people on the victims as opposed to a political circus.

WORK CONTINUES: Meanwhile work continues at Haut de la Garenne today. Blood has now been found in the large bath in one of the cellars. A specialist blood dog found traces in two spots in the bath. Police say it backs up what victims have told them but there could be an innocent explanation.It's understood the media will be allowed into the cellar today. Meanwhile, the police hope to get into the second cellar early next week.It's believed there are four underground rooms at the former children's home.

Sunday 9 March

Several hundred islanders turned out for a rally in the Royal Square yesterday. There as a minute's silence to remember the victims of child abuse. There was also a call for politcial change in Jersey.

Monday 10 March

ARRESTS: Police say they hope to make at least two arrests in the next few weeks in connection with the alleged child abuse. They have forty suspects and one hundred and sixty victims. There are twenty-five full time investigators - and eight more people joined the enquiry team this morning.

SECOND CELLAR: Jersey Police have broken into the second underground cellar at Haute de le Garenne. Detectives believe it could be up to three times the size of the first-  where blood spots were detected in a concrete bath. A specially trained sniffer dog will be used in the search. It's believed there are four secret rooms underneath the former children's home.

Tuesday 11 March

SNIFFER DOG: Further excavation work's begun at Haute de la Garenne. A specialist dog was sent into a second underground room yesterday.The animal reacted strongly, which could indicate the presence of human remains. One part of the cellar's already revealed a concrete bath.

Thursday 13 March

MAIN STORY: The man leading the Haut de la Garenne investigation's meeting his London counterparts this evening. Deputy police chief Lenny Harper touched down in the capital this afternoon. He's with specialists at Scotland Yard who may be able to help him with various aspects of the case. Back on the site in St Martin today, more flooboards and joists have been removed to make access to the second cellar ealier. Items have been found there, but officers say it's too early to know if they're of any significance.

Monday 17 March

MAIN STORY: The sniffer dog searching Haut de la Garenne has shown interest in the drain of the large bath under the former care home. Police have been searching two under ground rooms. The specialist dog has already found blood spots inthe bath and has now shown great interest in the drain. Police are now concentrating on the second cellar and say it could take them the rest of the week to search properly. Rubble is being taken out of the bricked up room which officers say is slow and painstaking work.

Tuesday 18 March

ADVISORY GROUP: Five islanders have been asked to form an independent advisory group to look at the historic abuse investigation. They're being described as 'critical friends' of the police.It's hoped they'll flag up concerns that islanders may have about the investigation. In the UK it's common for major cases to have a group like this.

Forensic examiners are continuing to work in the second cellar at Haut de la Garenne.Tests are still being carried out on bone fragments found at the site. The officer in charge of the case - Lenny Harper - says he's still confident there'll be a number of arrests in the next few weeks. There are now over forty suspects. Mr. Harper says they're still working through the mass of information they've received over the last few weeks.