Posts Tagged ‘Haut de la Garenne’
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 »
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
PRESS 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.
Tags: child abuse, Haut de la Garenne, historic abuse, Jersey
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
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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
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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
Thursday, January 1st, 2009
On 30th December the BBC broadcast Fergal Keane’s interview with Lenny Harper.
In “Taking a Stand” Fergal Keane talks to people who have taken risks and made sacrifices to stand up for what they believe in.
Lenny Harper was, until his retirement, the policeman who investigated the Haut de la Garenne abuse investigations. He attracted much publicity, and some of it, to put it politely, critical.
For those with an interest in the case I recommend that you listen to the programme. All you need to do is log on to BBC Radio 4’s website and select “listen again” and scroll down for “Taking a Stand“.
The Haut de la Garenne case is one that is not going to go away. Whether you agree with what Mr Harper did and said is nether here or there in my opinion, and this is because the abuse allegations are too extensive to be dismissed. Undoubtedly the full story of what happend may never unfold, but each victim has their own unique tale to tell and we should now be listening to them.
Alan Collins
Solicitor-advocate
Verisona
Tags: BBC, Fergal Keane, Haut de la Garenne, Jersey
Posted in child abuse, historic abuse, investigations, 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
Thursday, July 10th, 2008
For thse who occasionally visit my blog here is an update, from my perspective, on the Haut de la Garenne case.
The police are still continuing to investigate the allegations of abuse, and it is my hunch that their enquiries will continue for many months. Three men have been charged. Some media reports advised that one of them had pleaded guilty at the first hearing, but no more have been said in that regard.
My own enquiries in conjuction with my colleagues at Ozannes continue.
The Bailiff’s Liberation Day speech (see BBC News website for extract) was widely reported and drew comment on his Haut de la Garenne observations. There are too many victims and too many tragic stories which prevent the genie being put back in to the bottle. If the victims’ accounts are true then there is a great injustice that needs to be put right, and the media coverage has probably done immesurable good to that end.
Tags: Haut de la Garenne
Posted in child abuse, compensation, historic abuse, investigations, personal injury, sex abuse | 2 Comments »
Saturday, June 21st, 2008
As part of my investiagation in to the allegations of abuse at Haut de la Garenne I am trying to understand how the staff who were employed there in the 1970’s were trained (if at all). If you know or have information please contact me and this can be in confidence if you wish.
Alan Collins
02392492472
Tags: child abuse, Haut de la Garenne, historic abuse, physical abuse, sex abuse
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