Jersey Finally Sentences “The Perv”

Gordon Wateridge, nicknamed, “The Perv” by his victims, was sentenced to two years in jail today for repeatedly sexually assaulting children at Haut de la Garenne.

Described as a ''persistent sexual bully'' during his trial, Wateridge was found guilty of eight charges of indecent assault against young girls and one charge of assault against a young boy in court last month.

Judge Christopher Pitchers said, "What he did was rightly described in the trial as sexual bullying," adding that the acts carried out by Wateridge against the girls were at the "lower end" of the sentencing guidelines, but he also noted "There is no such thing as a trivial indecent assault of child."

Crown Advocate Stephen Baker claimed, "The offences were committed against the victims sometimes took place in the presence of other children so as to cause particular humiliation."

Defense Advocate Michael Preston argued for a "merciful" sentence because he claims Wateridge is "being held up as a scapegoat".

He said the offences came to light in the midst of the media frenzy surrounding the "discredited" police investigation into events at Haut de la Garenne.

Wateridge sentence is 21 months for each of the eight indecent assault charges, to run concurrently, and for three months, consecutively, for the assault on the boy.

Wateridge also pleaded guilty to possession of two unlicensed air pistols, a silencer, and 48 rounds of ammunition that were found by police during a raid on his home.

Wateridge was not sentenced on the weapons charges.

So, there you have it! Wateridge was found guilty at trial - the man AG Bailhache said he didn’t want charged and thanks to Lenny Harper was ultimately charged.

Did you note while in court, Advocate Preston referred to the “discredited” police investigation of Haut de la Garenne? Hmmm...charged, convicted, sentenced?

Is this justice? Or is this the sacrificial lamb being offered up? Are some saying, “glad that’s over with, now we can go back to things as usual in Jersey”? – I’m leaning toward the latter.

Telegraph

Metro.uk

How Bad Is It In Jersey? Pretty Damn Bad!

The fate of Gordon Wateridge, alleged Haut de la Garenne child abuser, rests with the 10 man and 2 woman jury. Quite frankly, I have always felt that Wateridge was the token fall-guy; chosen to shut-up the victims, their champions and the public as well.

Will there be justice? The skeptic and cynic in me say ‘nope’ because I believe this will go the ‘Jersey way’.

First, we are already aware the entire abuse investigation is/was being terminated – plug pulled! With all the ‘bs’ the government served up, really makes this no surprise.

Second, 10 men and 2 women deciding the fate of a 78-year-old man? Ya really think they’ll put this old man away for things that happened years ago?

Several things have occurred that are absolutely appalling and despicable.

The trial was actually halted for a day because new evidence had been discovered which needed to be reviewed by all parties.

Supposedly, emails between several witnesses, discussing the case had been found (hmmm, my hinky meter automatically went off). The witnesses were recalled and all vehemently denied the accusation. That was pretty much all that came out of it.

Throughout Wateridge’s trial, the defense made several remarks about the jury needing to be skeptical of evidence as investigative errors could have been made.

Ok, what exactly does that mean?

As unbelievable as it sounds, the defense actually told the court in arguments, that errors like Lenny Harper believing a “nut/partial remains of a child’s skull” could possibly be relevant when he knew full well it was found in a layer of ground that predated the construction of Haut de la Garenne should make them suspect.

So, Lenny Harper’s blundering is reason for the jury should be skeptical of Wateridge’s guilt. Harper wasn’t even in Jersey when the allegded sexual abuse by Wateridge occurred.

I’m begging, can anyone please explain what in heaven’s name does Lenny Harper have to do with Gordon Wateridge being a ‘sexual bully’?

Yeah, I’m pretty disgusted with the government and justice system in Jersey, but how much worse can it get? Just wait!

The one and only paper, the Jersey Evening Post (JEP), more commonly known as The Rag, is yet again blatantly showing that it truly is a mouthpiece and puppet of the government.

JEP Headline 8-18 - Home children ‘treated like family’

The article goes on discuss Wateridge denying all charges and replying “not true” when asked about each allegation and well, Gordon sounds like an ok guy.

Read the article here

Ok, maybe it’s not that bad and I just let the skeptic and cynic in me take hold, but the truly egregious headline screaming off the front page yesterday was - Lawyer: Harper made up ‘remains’ story

The article repeats what the defense said in court that trashes Lenny Harper just as the Jersey government consistently does. Oh yeah, let’s not forget the trash that is spouted by the government and parroted by The Rag, is totally dishonest.

Read article here

So knowing all this, I decided to pop in on Stuart Syvret and I’m truly glad I did! You see, Lenny Harper has written an amazing response to The Rag. (By the way the so-called reporter who wrote the article had no by-line, however Harper address the response to Diane Simon. We’ve seen Ms. Simon’s handywork before.) Harper really calls her out on some of the false implications.

You are right. I do not trust the Jersey authorities. There are many reasons why. Try the lies they told the media about what I had said - try blaming me for unlawful spending when I have an e mail - highlighted by the Sunday Times only a few weeks ago, where I am firmly admonished by Bill Ogley on behalf of the Chief Minister for daring to consider the costs of the enquiry - "Cost is irrelevant" he said. The Sunday Times highlighted this and other untrue assertions made by them. I would trust a fox in a chicken house more than I trust the Jersey authorities.

[…] the authorities are so desperate to deprive the victims of justice once again that they will stoop to any level. Nothing surprises me anymore.

Read Lenny’s full response on Stuart Syvret’s blog.

Just as I was finishing this rant, headlines came across stating that Wateridge was found guilty of eight charges and cleared on and additional 12 charges. He was also found guilty of assaulting a teenage boy.

No word on sentencing.

BBC

Wateridge Described As A Sexual Bully In Jersey Abuse Case

Gordon Wateridge, then in his 40's, was a house parent at Haut de la Garenne from 1970 to 1974.

The Jersey Royal Court has heard testimony from an unnamed 53-year-old woman how Wateridge used to grab her and grope her breasts and inner thighs. She said, "I remember lying on my back with my feet on the floor, he was pretending to tickle me but from my point of view he was having a good feel."

"His hands would be moving up and down inside my thighs."

Asked how she felt at the time and why she never told anyone of the abuse, she replied she knew it was wrong and made her feel creepy, but she was only 13 or 14 and he was a big man. She told the court she never told anyone, "because no one would have listened."

The court heard from another witness that Wateridge would smack bottoms and give bear hugs to the girls at the home. The children nicknamed Wateridge, "The Perv".

A man testified Wateridge threw him to the ground after he told him to leave his sister alone. "He grabbed my hair and said, "Is there a problem, boy?' I said 'no' and he pushed me to the floor."

Prosecutor Stephen Baker asserted that Wateridge abused his position of responsibility at the home and was a persistent sexual bully.

The trial was to have resumed yesterday morning, but was temporarily postponed due to additional evidence being discovered.

Wateridge has denied all 19 charges against him.

Channel On Line
Times On Line
Independent

Channel Island Self-Government Should Not Be Guaranteed

An interesting article from the JEP.

During a visit to Guernsey, Lord William Wallace of Saltaire was asked about the notion of full independence for the Islands. Wallace, a Liberal peer, says the UK needs to clamp down on Channel Island Autonomy - adding full independence would be 'horrifying'.

Decisions made hundreds of years ago aren't necessarily valid today and he added small jurisdictions that attract vast amounts of offshore money are difficult to govern without falling prey to corruption.

Apparently, there is a wider concern about the governing of Jersey and the fallout is not just confined to the Haut de la Garenne judicial fiasco!

Many thanks to Mark Le Sueur for keeping me apprised of the undercurrent in Jersey!

JEP

Haut de la Garenne Suspect To Be Charged With Eight Additional Counts

Gordon Wateridge, who was a house parent at Haut de la Garenne during the 1970’s, was to go on trial today for eleven counts of indecent assault.

Now he faces an additional eight charges after a sixth victim has come forward!

Wateridge, who remains free on bail, denies all the charges and his trial was adjourned to August so the new charges can be included.

Hmmmmm, wonder how long Bailhache has been sitting on this information. Isn’t it odd this suddenly came to light on the heels of the Senator Perchard disaster, the arrest of Senator Stuart Syvret, the positively ignorant declaration by Senator Ben Shenton that he was refusing to attend the emergency meeting of the assembly next Tuesday and the damning comments made Lenny Harper on Saturday?

Seems like a ploy by the government to deflect the public’s ourage and anger, no?

Guardian

Worthing Herald