Why will nobody listen? former children’s home resident asks

Friday 14th November 2008, 1:00PM GMT.

0544033.jpgA GUERNSEY-born former resident of Haut de la Garenne fears justice will never be done for child abuse victims.

Carl Denning (pictured) says he was sexually abused at the home and has chosen to speak out again in the hope of preventing future abuse of children.

Mr Denning believes that the homicide investigation meant attention was not being paid to other allegations at the home.

‘This sounds to me like a big cover-up. Why has it taken all this time to find out what a skull and a coconut shell were?’ he said.

In February, former deputy chief of police Lenny Harper briefed journalists that the partial remains of a child’s skull had been found at the site. However, the man now in charge of the day-to-day investigation, Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell, said forensic tests showed it was probably coconut from the Victorian era.

‘The main man who was dealing with this is out. Now it seems they are trying to close it. It doesn’t give justice to the people who have suffered and the people who poured their hearts out,’ said Mr Denning.

‘It fell on deaf ears when we were kids. Now it’s falling on deaf ears again.’


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  1. 1
    Neil Lee

    It must still be very painful for Carl to have to remember what happened to him as a child in this so called “care home” and I hope those responsible for these sickening acts (if still alive)are taken to court and made to spend whats left of their misrable lifes locked up.Child abuse was rampant in those days in those types of establishments ,not just in the Channel ilses but here on the mainland too.

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  2. 2
    Tony Webber

    It worries me that the way this is being dealt with now is that people who were abused are not going to have confidence in the authorities. Those who are ultimately in charge politically are those who wanted it made very low key in the first place. What is needed now is prosecutions and for people to feel they can come forward with trust. It is the trust and confidence which needs to be restored. Personally I would put Senator Syvret in charge as at least people would feel that the situation would be dealt with in an up front way.
    Tony Webber

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  3. 3
    Paul

    This man is so brave. It can’t be something that is easily forgotten but to see a ray of light and then see it fade again must be very painful indeed. Disgusting acts did go on at this place! Are the Jersey authorities expecting the world to believe that 160 people are liars then? I know only too well who the liars are. Carl Denning you are so brave. The utmost respect must be given to this man speaking out for justice. If this sick abuse is not stamped out by everybody it will happen again. It could be any of our kids next! As mentioned above it was prolific in that era. Does this make it any less damaging to the sufferers? Absolutely not! It is as disgusting for those wanting to cover it up. These people are the same as the abusers themselves. I just feel there is a lot more depth to this. Maybe prominent Jersey officials played their part? It is not fair to speculate but who would not do all they could to see sick scum of this nature behind bars. This is far to good for them in my opinion! I could think of lots of things that these people should endure but it would not get through this sites censor. Tony Webber I agree with your comments entirely. Message to Carl it is nice that you have not been beaten by this. I’m sure many in similar positions easily would be. It is down to everybody to do their bit. Hopefully the media will keep piling on the pressure. Message to the abusers be afraid. Be very afraid. Justice is on its way for the likes of you. SCUM!

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  4. 4
    john lavery R.M.N

    There clearly is a cover up in place.Gave an interview to l.hubball of BBC Jersey about the state of the Mental Health services on the Island.Was asked to prescribe medication while working on their wards.Legally it’s a Doctors job,but it took a night to get him out the pub.A young girl lost her life because a basic care plan wasn’t written.Local G.P was being sued by our Consultant because he’d prescribed hormon therapy to a girl suffering Anorexia.These horror stories are endless,but the BBC remains quiet.

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  5. 5
    Conrad

    They expect us to believe forensic can’t say for 100% sure its coconut or not ?
    I think the same as you mr Denning.

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  6. 6
    muzeek

    My thoughts have always been that there must be some very worried people in high places in Jersey as to the outcome of the child abuse enquiry. Ie politicians, etc. and that until a totally impartial enquiry is carried out the truth may never be known.
    I did say this on a note I wrote on the ” This is Jersey” blog and guess what the moderator will not allow it, you really have to wonder why eh.

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  7. 7
    Donald Remfrey

    Its not only Guernsey that has problems with its sewage!

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  8. 8
    Alan Sparrow

    This entire story stinks from beginning to end! … The stench reaches High Heaven and we are told that it is really the scent of June roses!
    God help us!
    So DO the powers that be really think we are ALL a herd of senile, witless, doddering brain-washed goats?
    YOU BET THEY DO!

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  9. 9
    Jill Gracia

    Yes a cover up indeed, and I write this living in Jersey not half a mile from that House of Horrors. I feel for you Mr Denning and hope that eventually justice WILL be done. A great shame that Lenny Harper, a man with the courage of his convictions has retired, and now the Chief Officer is suspended?? Stuart Syvret a much villified but outspoken young man speaks the only honest words from any politician on this matter.
    Yes – it stinks!!

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  10. 10
    ex-pat

    Len Harper seems like a sincere and decent chap. The whole thing stinks to high heaven. I wish justice could be done but I somehow doubt very very much that it will . What a sad world.

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  11. 11
    chello

    The world is full of evil, but hope survives because of those who oppose this injustice. The courage of people like Carl, Stuart Syvret and Lenny Harper will prevail against the cowardly perpetrators and the politicians who are frantic to hide the truth.

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  12. 12
    Alan Sparrow

    Yes Chello! … SPOT ON! …

    “The world is full of evil, but hope survives because of those who oppose this injustice. The courage of people like Carl, Stuart Syvret and Lenny Harper … (AND DR DAVID KELLY) … will prevail against the cowardly perpetrators and the politicians who are frantic to hide the truth.”
    – The newly converted Catholic, soon to be elected European President Tony WMD Bliar, included! … God help us from such a recently illumined sinner!

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  13. 13
    Andy

    Jersey want to cover it up at all costs even blaming their old Police Chief for scaremongering.
    They need to pick their politicians more carefully possibly starting with a CRB check.

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  14. 14
    Pete

    Why is the Jersey political establishment behaving in this way, what do they have to hide. If Westminster MP’s start calling for an inquiry into the govening of Jersey, Jersey only has itself to blame.

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  15. 15
    mandy

    ALL a cover up from start to finish…because Jersey cannot be bothered to bring those god awful people to justice..I feel sorry very sorry for the people who lived through the abuse only now to be told nothing is going to happen basically saying they have ALL lied.
    How WRONG some people can be..bring back Lenny Harper he knows the truth…Don’t you Len??

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  16. 16
    john lavery R.M.N

    Welcome to Ayrshire Lenny Harper.When you do your book allow me to do the forward.Know what it’s like to work in Jersey then be shown the door when your opinion differs from those around you.Your in the land of the free now and can tell the true in memory of those poor children who didn’t stand a chance.May they rest in peace.Amen.

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  17. 17
    Paul

    Whilst the culprits of this sick sh** wishes to let this sleep I am still demanding answers? Aren’t we all surely?

    Those that aren’t have something to hide and the Jury needs to be your victims just like you were. These sickos need to be made to feel worse than than their victims then at least they can experience a little of their own medicine. Maybe it will be theraputic to show these sickos to all as an advert!

    Weed them out and advertise them for what they really are! Sick scum!

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