Digging on hold

By Joel de Woolfson

Forensic officer Julie Roberts examining items recovered at Haut de la Garenne. (0544218)

EXCAVATION work at Haut de la Garenne stopped yesterday as the forensic teams were given a break.

The experts had been working up to 13 hours a day searching for human remains after a child’s skull had been found last week. And Jersey Police have warned suspects to stay away from victims after reports of intimidation.

A former resident of the children’s home claimed in a television interview that he had been warned by an ex-care worker to keep quiet about what had gone on. Detectives said they had substantiated the claim and warned others against approaching victims or witnesses.

Deputy police chief Lenny Harper, who is leading the investigation, said that intimidation of victims was a serious criminal offence.

‘And it will be treated as such if we find anyone doing it,’ he said.

Mr Harper revealed that there might be up to four cellar chambers at Haut de la Garenne.

Police have found two of them so far and have excavated the first, where former residents have claimed they were raped and beaten.

‘We know there is another chamber next to the one we’re working in,’ said Mr Harper.

‘We suspect there might be two more running off it.’

He said the forensic team had made two ‘significant finds’ in the first chamber.

These were understood to be shackles and a bath.