ENOUGH evidence exists to charge many more people over historic abuse allegations in Jersey, according to the man initially in charge of the investigation.
Former deputy police chief Lenny Harper’s comments come after a third person appeared in court as a result of the inquiry he led.
After Mr Harper retired, his successors and senior Jersey States officials cast serious doubts on his investigation.
But should Gordon Wateridge, the latest person to go before Jersey’s courts, be found guilty, Mr Harper said that all three people he charged could have faced trial.
‘Despite the criticisms by the current Jersey authorities that our inquiry was “flawed”, no other charges have been brought,’ said Mr Harper yesterday.
‘Our judgement was obviously right before and I know there was at least as much evidence against many more. The lawyers always said they would not charge unless there was enough evidence to give a good chance of conviction. Nothing has happened since and I do not expect it to.’
An announcement is expected in the coming weeks closing the investigation.
It centred on what happened at the former care home at Haut de la Garenne.
‘The authorities will have achieved what they wanted and they have betrayed the victims yet again,’ said Mr Harper.
‘Even the case against the couple in France, which last June I was told only needed a day-and-a-half’s work to bring about the application for their extradition, was shelved on the orders of someone.
‘How do you go from almost there in “a matter of hours” to there not being enough evidence? Then the authorities said they could not find them.
‘The BBC had no difficulty. However, they had the will.’
He added: ‘It shows the moral bankruptcy of those taking the decisions now in Jersey and [the] total contempt for the victims, whom they have abused all over again.’
Article posted on 12th August, 2009 - 1.00pm
Most Commented: