Abuse trial witnesses to be recalled

By Harry McRandle

TWO women who testified in the trial of a man accused of indecent assaults at Haut de la Garenne were due to be recalled to the witness stand today after new evidence emerged.

The Asize trial was due to resume this morning after it was adjourned on Monday evening. The jury of ten men and two women have not heard any evidence since then.

The jury were told yesterday afternoon by trial judge Commissioner Sir Christopher Pitchers that the witnesses, who are alleged victims in the case, would be recalled for further questioning. The women were expected to answer questions on e-mail correspondence – evidence that has emerged since they took the stand on Monday.

The jury are sitting to determine the case against Gordon Claude Wateridge, who denies 19 counts of indecent assault on young girls allegedly committed when he was a house parent at Haut de la Garenne in the early 1970s. He also denies inciting boys to indecently assault a girl and another charge of common assault on a boy in his care.