​​​​​​Latest Updates

15 April 2015

The former care worker at Haut de la Garenne, known as Mr K, has finished giving his evidence to the inquiry.

Mr K was at the home between 1975 and 1981. He was reminded by Counsel Patrick Sadd that he was not being cross-examined on his evidence: it "is your opportunity to respond to what has been said in evidence or presented in evidence to the inquiry in the last few months."

Mr Sadd listed a series of at least nine allegations from former residents of abuse by Mr K. They included claims of physical and sexual assault.

He denied each accusation and suggested at least some of the allegations had been made to secure compensation: "'All the allegations against me I would have thought the vast majority were to get compensation. Others could have been misinterpreted as what they actually believe….people may have mistaken identities."

Mr Sadd pointed out that five of those who made allegations did not apply for compensation from  the island's Redress Scheme.

Mr K answered: "'That doesn't surprise me because they were false allegations in the first place."

In 2008 when police launched Operation Rectangle to investigate allegations of abuse at Haut de la Garenne, Mr K was arrested.

He told the inquiry he felt bitter at his treatment by the police: "They have a duty to investigate…but not to raid people's houses at 6.30 in the morning."

The Attorney General at the time, William Bailhache, later decided there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Mr K.

Mr K said he had asked for help from people including Senator Le Marquand who was in charge of Home Affairs. But he and another influential person, who was not named, had chosen not to assist.

Following a complaint about his treatment by the police, Mr K received three and a half thousand pounds in compensation. He told the Panel he felt "demoralised" at the way he was treated and believes the manner of his arrest was "unnecessary and disproportionate" given the strength of evidence against him.

After Mr K had finished, Counsel Paul Livingston presented evidence from Witness 64. She had been abused by her father and said she'd been offered a bribe, which she'd declined, by a former honorary policeman not to give evidence against him. She stated that her father was imprisoned twice for sexual abuse, most recently in 2014.

Hearings resume at 10 am tomorrow. A former employee of Children's Services will be giving evidence.

In this section