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| Jersey carer convicted of abuse | Jersey carer convicted of abuse |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A former carer at a Jersey children's home has been found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault and one count of assault. | A former carer at a Jersey children's home has been found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault and one count of assault. |
| Gordon Wateridge who worked at the Haut de la Garenne home, was cleared of a further 12 charges of indecent assault. | Gordon Wateridge who worked at the Haut de la Garenne home, was cleared of a further 12 charges of indecent assault. |
| The 78-year-old, who lives in the parish of St Clement, was described as "a persistent sexual bully" during his trial at Jersey Royal Court. | The 78-year-old, who lives in the parish of St Clement, was described as "a persistent sexual bully" during his trial at Jersey Royal Court. |
| The convictions relate to his time as a house parent at the home in the 1970s. | |
| Wateridge had denied all the charges against him. | Wateridge had denied all the charges against him. |
| He told the court that staff at Haut de la Garenne were advised not to have any physical contact with the children in their care. | He told the court that staff at Haut de la Garenne were advised not to have any physical contact with the children in their care. |
| But the jury found him guilty of indecently assaulting three teenage girls and assaulting one teenage boy. | |
| Judge Christopher Pitchers warned him that he now faces a custodial sentence. | |
| 'Some comfort' | |
| Wateridge was the first person charged in connection with the historical abuse enquiry over the home. | |
| Speaking after the verdict, Det Supt Mick Gradwell said in a statement: "Gordon Wateridge, a house parent at Haut de la Garenne, was a sexual bully towards vulnerable young girls in his care. | |
| "We hope the complainants involved in this trial have received some comfort from the decision reached by the court. | |
| "The historical abuse enquiry is continuing and there is another case in the court process. | |
| "We would like to emphasise that the States of Jersey Police take reports of historical abuse seriously, and are committed to investigating them." |