The Independent Jersey Care Inquiry on Wednesday (4 March) heard evidence via live video link from
Australia.
Speaking from Perth, Edward Walton, who was born in Jersey
in 1966, explained how as a child he often found he had to fend for
himself and ended up getting into a lot of trouble. Eventually he was sent to La
Preference aged 12, spent a month at Haut de la Garenne, before going to Les
Chenes in 1979 for three years. He left aged 15. The Education Committee
approved him going to Australia where he became a successful athlete, ballet dancer
and businessman. Counsel to the Inquiry
was Patrick Sadd.
Counsel to the Inquiry, Paul Livingston, then read into the
record a statement recently given directly to the IJCI by Witness 254. He gave
evidence about his time in Jersey Home for Boys and the very early years of
HDLG between the ages of 6-11 in the 1950s.
Live witness, William Dubois, was in care for 8 years from
the age of 11 and told the IJCI about abuse he and others experienced at Haut
de la Garenne, La Preference and Heathfield in the 1980s. Counsel to the Inquiry was Harriet Jerram.
Full transcripts and supporting documents will be available for
viewing and download in due course.
Public hearings will resume at 0930 Thursday (5 March) with
a live anonymous witness.