I am investigating allegations of abuse in relation to James Braid who was recently convicted at Portsmouth Crown Court. I would be please to talk to anyone, in confidence, about the case.
Alan Collins
Tel.: 02392492472
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Posts Tagged ‘child abuse’
Bay House School
Thursday, February 18th, 2010An apology for child migrants
Monday, November 16th, 2009For me the Australian Government’s apology to the child migrants is both welcome and significant.
I have met many people who are now in their fifties, sixties, and seventies who suferred abuse as children. They have lived with the memories and consequences all of their lives, and often in silence.
A very wise judge once said that one of the pernicious fruits of child abuse is silence. How true.
It is striking that the recent media coverage has highlighted that very human need on the part of victims to be heard and recognised. Many tell me that they felt at the time that were forgotten and treated as second class victims. Maybe the perpetrators of the abuse in their cruel and warped way thought they could justify thier actions because they saw the children as somehow inferior?
Many victims as I said tell me that they need recognition, and someone in authority to say “sorry”. Kevin Rudd’s apology on behalf of Australia is therefore surely welcome. It should also be seen as example for other governments to follow.
For more on the Australian government’s apology I suggest you go to: http.//news.bbc.co.uk
or
www.theaustralian.com
Alan Collins
023 92 492472
Haut de la Garenne - an update
Monday, September 21st, 2009HAUT 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
Haut de la Garenne
Thursday, August 20th, 2009PRESS RELEASE
Jersey abuse case solicitor says sentence is ‘vindication’ for victims
Portsmouth solicitor speaks out on latest conviction
Alan Collins, Solicitor-Advocate of Portsmouth-based law firm, Verisona, who has acted on behalf of some of the victims in the “Haut de la Garenne” children’s care home case in Jersey, says that the conviction of Gordon Wateridge, is 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 has travelled as far as Australia in his bid to seek justice for his clients, 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 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 9238 0112 for further comment.
Winton House
Sunday, June 21st, 2009Were you at Winton House School (Winchester) between 1970 and 1973?
If so, please contact me in confidence.
Alan Collins
02392492472
Portsmouth Northern Grammar School
Sunday, June 21st, 2009Were you at Portsmouth Northern Grammar School between 1965 and 1968?
If so, please contact me in confidence.
Alan Collins
02392492472
Law Society Gazette article
Friday, January 2nd, 2009
Alan Collins
Thursday 02 October 2008 by Deven Pamben
Who? Alan Collins, 43-year-old solicitor-advocate and director at Dyer Burdett & Co in Havant, Hampshire.
Why is he in the news?Negotiated compensation for five Berkshire men for the physical and sexual abuse they suffered in a children’s home 40 years ago.
The victims received undisclosed damages in an out-of-court civil settlement from the insurers of the now defunct Berkshire County Council. The abuse took place at the council-run Green Field House in Maidenhead between 1964 and 1970. This is the latest settlement negotiated by Collins, who represented nine other victims who were resident at the same home. They were compensated in 2006. The home was managed by the late Don Prescott, who is alleged to have abused the boys and rented them out to paedophiles.
Route to the case: ‘The five claimants came forward after hearing about the original case.’
Thoughts on the case: ‘I am very pleased for them, given what they have had to endure. They had to go to a kids’ home but then they were abused. They have kept themselves together and had the courage to come forward. It is a taboo subject and they have all been brave.’
Dealing with the media: ‘There is a lot more understanding from the media now. Journalists used to be interested in the salacious side but now they recognise that these people are fighting to get justice.’
Career highlight: ‘It has to be the initial court settlement in 2006, as it was the culmination of four years work.’
Low point: ‘During an industrial compensation claim after a guy fell off a ladder, the district judge tried to persuade my opponent and I that the Road Traffic Act covered building accidents. We had an argument with the judge and I thought, “what am I doing here?” In the end he made us go to the judges’ library to find out what the law was. When we came back he realised he was wrong.’
This article appeared in the Law Society Gazette on 2.10.08
Freezing Orders (2)
Monday, November 3rd, 2008I wrote recently about the need to obtain a freezing order if there was fear that a potential defendant would dissipate assets if he/she thought they were going to be sued for damages. The point needs to be made that the defendant and/or his/her aseets do not necessarily have to be in this country, because a worldwide freezing order can be obtained from the court.
In a recent case I successfully obtained a freezing order to stop the abuser disposing of a property in Spain. Having got wind of the claim that my client was making the abuser tried to get his Spanish property transferred out of his name, but the freezing order stopped this in the nick of time.
The court will only make these orders if there is a risk that the defendant will dispose of assets to try and frustrate the claim.
Alan Collins
02392492472
Haut de la Garenne BBC News press release
Thursday, July 31st, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
31.07.08
Haut de la Garenne Solicitor requests more support for investigation
Alan Collins , the solicitor representing many of the alleged abuse victims at Haut de la Garenne in Jersey , has publicly requested more support for the Senior Investigating Officer Lenny Harper, following Mr. Harper’s recent BBC interview.
The experienced solicitor at Dyer Burdett & Co. based in Hampshire, has been working with Ozannes Advocate Mark Temple, representing former residents of the notorious Jersey care home and has travelled as far as Australia Alan Collins said: “It is staggering that Lenny Harper and his colleagues, both on Jersey and the mainland, have been able to collate so much evidence in this case. I know from my own experience this must have been a painstaking task and all those involved in the investigation are to be applauded.” He added: “It is emerging, from the evidence given by the alleged victims who have come forward and from the forensic aspect of the enquiry, that Haut de la Garenne was a scene of unparalleled child abuse atrocities. Even if the children whose remains have been found were not the victims of homicide, the fact that they were not given a religious burial, let alone any kind of dignity, demonstrates that by entering the home you actually became a lesser human being, as those who are still alive allege.” The investigation, which started in November 2007, has been under near constant scrutiny by the media and the Senior Investigating Officer himself is under additional pressure as he prepares to retire next month. Despite this Alan believes the investigation needs more support and added: “ It must surely be the wish of all those who have any interest in ensuring that the full truth emerges, they fully support the ongoing police investigation, and this must also mean that all assistance that is required is provided.
The victims, both those who are no longer with us and those still alive, deserve nothing less. In representing my clients I shall be continuing to observe the investigation with acute interest.”
31.7.08
02392492472
Haut de la Garenne BBC News
Thursday, July 31st, 2008BBC Interview with Lenny Harper
It is staggering that Lenny Harper and his colleagues both on
In representing my clients I shall be continuing to observe the investigation with interest.
Alan Collins