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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 worker at a Jersey children's home has been found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault against three teenage girls in his care.
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.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 was also found guilty of assaulting a teenage boy.
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 had denied all the charges against him and 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.Judge Christopher Pitchers warned him that he now faces a custodial sentence.
'Some comfort''Some comfort'
Wateridge was the first person charged in connection with the historical abuse enquiry over the home.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.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."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."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.""We would like to emphasise that the States of Jersey Police take reports of historical abuse seriously, and are committed to investigating them."