Posts Tagged ‘advocates’
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
Here is an article that recently appeared in
THE BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH · 23-29 NOVEMBER 2009
Abuse claims at West
Yorkshire school
More former pupils have contacted solicitors representing alleged victims of abuse at a West Yorkshire school after police questioned three men in their sixties on claims of sexual and physical assaults going back to the 1970s. And an ex-employee has claimed William Henry Smith School (WHSS) in Rastrick, Brighouse failed to investigate an assault on a pupil he claims he witnessed just two years ago.
WHSS is a non-maintained residential special school set up in 1920. According to its website it “provides high quality education and care for boys with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties”.
In the summer West Yorkshire Police quizzed three men in connection with alleged sexual and physical assaults dating back 30 years before releasing them on bail pending further investigations.
One former pupil, Mark Edson of Selby, believes some former pupils have received compensation, although he wasn’t one of them.
The law firm representing the former pupils, Verisona of Hampshire, wouldn’t confirm this. But Alan Collins, the solicitor working on the claims, said: “Media coverage has led to more ex-pupils contacting us. Usually in cases like this one most people don’t come forward so I am still looking for witnesses prepared to talk to me about the allegations as I wonder if we are still not getting the entire picture of the full extent of the abuse.”
Lee Varey from Halifax was a maintenance worker at the school from 2004 until he quit in 2007. He was impressed by the dedication of the staff and therefore “left bitterly disappointed when senior staff members failed to properly investigate an attack I reported on a young man aged 16 in which he was punched four or five times by a staff member”.
Varey, who claims this contributed to him leaving his post, said: “No one took a statement from him even though there were many staff that knew I was unhappy about what happened.”
WHSS was unwilling to respond to questions about Varey’s claims and whether it had carried out an investigation into them, issuing a statement saying: “Any such matters would be protected by Data Protection and as such we are unable to make any comment.
Tags: abuse, abuse claims, Add new tag, advocates, child sex abuse, claim, compensation, damages, solicitors
Posted in child abuse, compensation, historic abuse, investigations, news, personal injury, sex abuse | No Comments »
Monday, September 21st, 2009
HAUT DE LA GARENNE
I am of the opinion that Gordon Wateridge’s conviction and sentence is a significant step forward for those Haut de la Garenne victims seeking compensation for the abuse they suffered.
There has been plenty of coverage of Wateridge’s trial and the best place to go for this is the BBC’s website at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8266897.stm
or just go to www.bbc.co.uk and the Jersey news section under England. There is plenty of coverage on the major media websites. A good one to look at is the Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au
Many victims have had to struggle with the fact that the allegations of abuse were not believed in some quarters, and so the Wateridge conviction following on from that Aubin must in my opinion put pay to any such doubts.
The allegations of abuse cover many decades from the 1940’s down to the 1980’s. It is my suspicion that many former residents have not felt able to come forward and report their stories to the police out of fear, and embarrassment which whilst misplaced is entirely understandable. Of course it is only by coming forward that the abusers can be exposed and prosecuted, and the truth heard.
Alan Collins
23.9.09
I can be contacted on 02392492472
Tags: abuse, abuse claims, advocates, case, child abuse, child sex abuse, children's home, claim, compensation, damages, Haut de la Garenne, historic abuse, Jersey, lawyers, no win no fee, personal injury, sexual abuse
Posted in child abuse, compensation, historic abuse, investigations, news, personal injury | No Comments »
Monday, September 21st, 2009
PRESS RELEASE - Haut de la Garenne
Jersey abuse case solicitor says sentence is ‘vindication’ for victims.
Haut de la Garenne victims’ solicitor speaks out on the Gordon Wateridge conviction.
Alan Collins, Solicitor-Advocate of Portsmouth-based law firm, Verisona, who is acting on behalf of some of the victims in the “Haut de la Garenne” children’s care home case in Jersey, says that the sentence passed on Gordon Wateridge, is a vindication for them.
He explained:
“For those victims who allege they were abused, Wateridge’s conviction today is an important milestone that has been reached and passed in their fight for justice”.
Verisona Solicitors & Advocates have been instructed to pursue civil claims against the States of Jersey. The Royal Court in St. Helier heard evidence that Wateridge, a houseparent at the home from 1970-1974, had assaulted and indecently assaulted children who were in care at Haut de la Garenne.
Alan, who is acting on behalf of victims not just in the UK but also in Australia who are seeking justice for the abuse they say they suffered, added:
“The trial has brought into sharp focus the allegations. The resulting conviction is vindication of our clients’ claims of abuse and leaves little, if any, doubt that the regime that was supposed to care for them, failed in the worst possible way. It is hoped that the States of Jersey will now accept it has to do right by these people and give them the redress they seek.”
Alan Collins is a Solicitor-Advocate, and Director of Verisona Solicitors and Advocates. He can be contacted on 023 92492472 or 07899916899 for further comment.
Tags: abuse, advocates, case, claim, Haut de la Garenne, lawyers, sexual abuse, solicitors
Posted in child abuse, compensation, historic abuse, investigations, news, personal injury | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
In an interview with BBC Radio Jersey on 23rd June I explained that the Michael Aubin case was an important step forward for the Haut de la Garenne victims in their fight for justice. This was because the evidence and sentence should put pay to those who were of the opinion that the allegations were false. Clearly by any standard all was not well at Haut de la Garenne.
For reports on the case go to the BBC’s website at www.news.bbc.co.uk
Alan Collins
www.verisona.com
Tags: abuse claims, advocates, Haut de la Garenne, Jersey, lawyers, solicitors, verisona
Posted in child abuse, compensation, historic abuse, investigations, personal injury | Comments Off
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
22.06.09
PRESS RELEASE
Jersey abuse case solicitor says sentence is ‘vindication’ for victimsPortsmouth solicitor speaks out on Aubin sentence Alan Collins, solicitor-advocate for Portsmouth-based Verisona and who has acted on behalf of some of the victims in the Jersey “Haut de la Garenne” children’s care home case, says that today’s successful prosecution and sentencing of Michael Aubin is vindication for them. Petersfield resident Collins, who has travelled as far as Australia in his bid to seek justice for his clients, said: “The outcome today puts paid to any belief that all was OK at Haut de la Garenne because clearly it was not. What happened is tragic for all those involved and, hopefully minds will now turn to how best to make amends to the victims. Many still suffer, considerably, as a result of what they had to endure and I am seeking compensation for those who have instructed me to do so.”
Tags: abuse claims, advocates, Haut de la Garenne, Jersey, lawyers, solicitors, verisona
Posted in child abuse, compensation, historic abuse, investigations, personal injury, sex abuse | Comments Off
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
It is excellent news that Michael Aubin has pleaded guilty to some of the abuse charges that he faced arising out of the Haut de la Garenne investigation.
Claims had been made that Haut de la Garenne victims had been lying on fabricating in some way, but this admission of guilt demonstrates that the decision to investigate by Jersey Police was well founded, and to subsequently commence a prosecution.
The admission of guilt in my opinion re-inforces the victims’ claim for compensation for the abuse that they suffered as children at Haut de la Garenne.
Tags: abuse, abuse claims, advocates, Haut de la Garenne, lawyers, sexual abuse, solicitors, verisona
Posted in child abuse, compensation, historic abuse, investigations, personal injury, sex abuse | Comments Off
Friday, December 5th, 2008
On 1st October 2008 Dyer Burdett & Co merged with Gray Purdue to form Verisona.
I have moved to our new office at 1000 Lakeside North Harbour Portsmouth and it is from here that I shall be running the Haut de la Garenne case. I can still see clients and witnesses at the Havant office, or elsewhere if neither location is convenient.
My contact telephone number is : 023 9238 0112
Alan Collins
Tags: abuse claims, advocates, Haut de la Garenne, lawyers, solicitors, verisona
Posted in child abuse, compensation, historic abuse, investigations, personal injury, sex abuse | Comments Off
Monday, May 19th, 2008
I have teamed-up with advocate Mark Temple of Ozannes in St. Helier to provide legal advice and assistance to those Haut de la Garenne victims who may feel in need of it.
If you are a Haut de la Garenne victim and you want legal advice we will be please to meet you.
Anything you say to us will be treated in confidence.
If you are unsure as to your legal rights or your position, or simply just do not know what to do, then it might be sensible to get advice.
We will be pleased to discuss matters with you.
Tags: advice, advocates, compensation, Haut de la Garenne, lawyers, legal advice, solicitors
Posted in compensation | No Comments »
Monday, April 7th, 2008
I have linked-up with Jersey advocate Mark Temple of Ozannes to provide legal advice and assistance to those abuse victims who need it.
Abuse victims need to understand what their legal rights are.
Victims who wait too long before claiming compensation are sometimes barred from doing so. This could be very unjust, and so the risk of this occuring needs to be minimised. Get legal advice, and we would be pleased to talk to you.
Tags: abuse, advocate, advocates, compensation, Jersey, law, lawyer, legal advice
Posted in compensation, investigations | No Comments »
