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No murders at Jersey home, says police chief
Kiran Randhawa12 Nov 2008
The new police chief in charge of the Jersey child abuse investigation ruled out murder today as he expressed "much regret" at inaccurate information provided by his predecessors.
Deputy chief officer David Warcup criticised previous operations in his first briefing since taking charge of one of Britain's biggest child abuse cases, which is investigating complaints from more than 100 people.
Jersey's chief officer, Graham Power, who oversaw the investigation, was suspended following today's briefing.
Mr Warcup said the island's former deputy chief officer, Lenny Harper, who retired in August, was wrong to suggest that children might have been murdered and dismembered at Haut de la Garenne children's home, which closed in 1986. "There is no suggestion there has been murder or any bodies destroyed," Mr Warcup added. Dozens of burnt bone fragments found in cellars could be hundreds of years old, he said. The investigation had cost "just over £4million" and was described as "aunique inquiry."
Mr Warcup's colleague, Detective Superintendent Michael Gradwell, said the belief that forensic science teams had found secret underground chambers which some victims referred to as punishment rooms where they were drugged, beaten and raped was "wrong". He said they were "just cellars".
Mr Gradwell added that the child abuse inquiry was still continuing.
Mr Harper, who is now living in Ayrshire, told the Daily Telegraph: "I have been saying for some time that the most likely outcome was that it would be impossible to date the bones accurately and so there would not be enough evidence to launch a homicide investigation."
So far three people have been charged and are awaiting trial on the island.
Reader views (3)
Am I alone in thinking ... 'Something is not quite right here'
- Dave Morris, Sunderland, 13/11/2008 04:57
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Could it be that the Force are saying these bone fragments "could be hundreds of years old" in order that they do not have to continue with an investigation. There was a histroy of child abuse in care homes in england and wales in the 1960's, probably involving members of the establishment, including the Police. Have these bone fragments been carbon dated to see exactly how old they are?
- Paul Bradford, Monflanquin, France, 12/11/2008 18:30
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We all know that something incredibly sinister and cruel happened to society's most vulnerable in that place. All I can think of is that an extremely well-connnected paedophile must have been involved. If we as a society let this disgrace fall off the radar again we are all guilty of failing those children. Don't let it happen!
- Norma Madden, London, 12/11/2008 17:55
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