Posts Tagged ‘lawyers’
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
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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
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
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Wednesday, May 6th, 2009
The case of Raggett and the Preston Catholic College has been widely reported in the media.
The High Court’s decision to allow Mr Raggett to purue his case is very welcome news for abuse victims.
As in the Raggett case abuse victims often have thrown in their faces, when they seek justice, by defendants the “defence” they they are out of time.
Abuse victims invariably in my experience wait many years before coming forward and seeking justice, and this often because of the effects of the abuse they suffered. It is very unfair that the abuse has this additional insult in that it continues to plague them by obstructing their ability to get compensation. There is something very unpalletable that defendants have this windfall enabling them to have chance at avoiding to meet the victims’ claims.
Fortunately in the Raggett case the court was prepared to exercise its limited discretion to allow the claim to proceed out of time. The Defendant’s claim that it was prejudiced by the “delay” does not appear to have been borne out by the evidence.
The case reinforces my opinion that for an abuse claim to procced there needs to be sound evidence, eg, documents and/or other other witnesses. If you can get evidence to bolster the claim then that may go along way to defeat a defendant’s arguement that it has been prejudiced by delay.
For more on the Raggett case I suggest you go to The Times (6th May 2009). There is also a piece by Ruth Gledhill.
Alan Collins
Tel.: 02392380112
Tags: Catholic church, historic abuse claims, jesuits, lawyers, sex abuse, solicitors
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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
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Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
I have taken part in a number of radio interviews which will be syndicated throught out Australia in advance of my arrival there next month when I will be talking to victims and witnesses.
If you would like to speak with me please get in touch.
My telephone number is 023 92 492472
e-mail: alc@dyerburdett.com
Alan Collins
Tags: abuse, Australia, child abuse, compensation, Haute de la Garenne, Jersey, lawyers, sex abuse, solicitors
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Thursday, April 10th, 2008
I have spoken to a number of former residents who are now living in Australia, who I propose to see. If there is anyone else in Australia that would like to see me in order to discuss the case, which would be in confidence, I would like to hear from them.
Alan Collins
Tags: abuse, Australia, child abuse, compensation, Haute de la Garenne, Jersey, lawyers, sex abuse, solicitors
Posted in investigations | No Comments »
