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Jersey carer convicted of abuse Jersey carer convicted of abuse
(about 2 hours later)
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.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 was also found guilty of assaulting a teenage boy.Wateridge was also found guilty of assaulting a teenage boy.
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.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.
He was released on bail pending sentencing in September and Judge Christopher Pitchers warned him that he is facing a jail term. He was released on bail pending sentencing in September, but Judge Christopher Pitchers warned him he had betrayed a position of trust and there was an overwhelming possibility that he would be given a custodial sentence.
'Some comfort''Some comfort'
Wateridge was the first person charged in connection with the historical abuse inquiry over the home.Wateridge was the first person charged in connection with the historical abuse inquiry 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 inquiry is continuing and there is another case in the court process."The historical abuse inquiry 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."