Everyone loses in this abuse case
Thursday 13th November 2008, 2:53PM GMT.
A PARTICULARLY savage irony in yesterday’s admission by Jersey’s police that they have bungled key aspects of the investigation into allegations of historic child abuse in the island was the suggestion by the new deputy chief officer that what has been said and interpretations that have been made could prevent fair trials from going ahead of those who have been accused.
Since most of the particularly shocking claims – of child murder, disposal by fire, torture and incarceration – were made by his predecessor, there is a real risk of this descending into farce.
Guernsey’s interest in this matter, apart from it being an alarming news story, is that when a damaging Channel Islands item emerges, both Bailiwicks tend to be tarred with the same brush.
And if Jersey cannot conduct a serious police inquiry in a proper, truthful and professional manner, then Guernsey by association also becomes a questionably run jurisdiction.
Our criticisms in September of the state of the investigation – particularly that it needed third-party intervention – angered Jersey’s chief minister, prompting him to demand an apology from the Guernsey Press to the people of Jersey.
It now emerges that having had the process vetted by the Metropolitan Police, the investigation was not only fundamentally flawed but expenditure by officers involved on it was also out of control. In short, this could not be a worse outcome for the credibility of the force or for the reputation of Jersey as a community able properly to run its own affairs.
There is also, of course, the impact this will have on the victims of the alleged abuse. One of the biggest complaints has been the widespread belief that the abuse was covered up and that the island was keen to sweep matters under the carpet. Former investigating officer Lenny Harper was seen as the maverick standing up for truth, for the victims and refusing to kowtow to the establishment.
That, too, appears as false as some of the ‘evidence’ he disclosed.
The sad reality in this matter is that everyone loses.
What remains unclear – and what Jersey needs to resolve speedily – is how an out-of-control investigation was allowed to run unchallenged for so long.
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“That, too, appears as false as some of the ‘evidence’ he disclosed”
I look forward to Lenny Harper taking the Guernsey Press to court.
Listening to the BBC interview with Lenny Harper it seems the situation is not so black and white as it appears from the Jersey side.
The comment “as false as some of the ‘evidence’ he disclosed” looks more likely to be tested in the UK courts. Much easier for to sue for libel in the UK now the comment has been read there.
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The authorities may wish to bring this to a close. Very convenient in my opinion! I doubt the world press is going to let go this easily. Sinister things happened at this place of torture that is for sure. Are the abusers making allegations about prime elite Jersey individuals? Something stinks! This smell cannot and will not be ignored. If the authorities are not prepared to get to the bottom of the mattter then the message to the people that most definately were abused must be the media will be good friends to all of you. This is crucial in establishing the real truth. A public appeal needs to go out so that a consortium of the abused can come forward to prevent a whitewash. This needs to be conducted with all the professionalism of a real police enquiry. The three men that are being used as scapegoats should assist. To clear their names and let everybody know they can’t be bought or pressured into silence. Justice can and will be done! It will most definately hurt many to relive these horific events. Those that have braved the media already most be commended and well looked after. These are ambassadors for those that are reluctant to come forward. It must be done. Justice is the start. Closure must count as some sort of consulation? Not that there ever could be any. The fact that the guilty are receiving what they deserve will bring many rewards in itself. The peace of mind that this is less likely to happen to others is the most rewarding gift that can be enjoyed by all. Come forward for the sake of others at least! A whitewash won’t wash with me. Truth seekers and anybody with children must wish for the same. The only people that wish to cover things over are the abusers themselves. If any establishment figures wish to cloak this in secrecy then they are just as bad themselves.
My messgae to the abusers start trembling because this is far from other. The process is being made worse by those that should know how to handle things of this nature better. This is not going to go away. It is far too big. To many people have had their lives ruined by this. Let justice be the start of a means to an end. I just hope the authorities don’t get to have this their own way. It is criminal for all children and mankind. Everybody is responsible for stamping it out.
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I thought not!!!! Just as cowardly as the Jersey Press then
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As I posted elsewhere what Lenny Harper has said to date appears to stand up. Has harper ever said he’d found murders or or as he stated that children were lowered below thr floors he was searching!
This article says “..then Guernsey by association also becomes a questionably run jurisdiction.”
Well it is. The establishment in Guernsey are as archiac as anywhere. There is no or little accountability here or in Jersey for anything but petty offenders with parking tickets, speeding fines and telecoms and doctors bills. Stripping £millions of public assets from the public purse is just fine a dandy. Do Gsy press journos not read their own newspaper
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Throughout that entire episode – from July 2007 – to pretty much the present day – people like Frank Walker, Bill Ogley, Philip Ozouf, Mike Pollard, Marnie Baudians, Jimmy Perchard, Ben Shenton, Phil Dennet, Madeline Davies, Mario Lundy, Mike Vibert, Joe Kennedy – etc – have all rabidly and unremittingly asserted that Bellwood and I were wrong – that there was no problem with the so-called Grand Prix policy, and similar regimes – and that all these Jersey oligarchy people were right.
The establishment put all their chips on the gamble, “no problem with the solitary confinement regimes – all perfectly legal and proper” – and they’ve blown it.
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The only losers that should stand to lose anything is the perverse abusers. Their freedom is a start. Their reputations will follow and the public seeing them for what they are will be some way of making them feel what they have happily inflicted onto vulnerable youngsters. I know what a lot of people would to do. In my opinion the law is too biased and soft on them.
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