Man charged with indecent assault

A man has been charged with indecently assaulting three girls, aged under 16.

Gordon Claude Wateridge is accused of attacking the girls between 1969 and 1979, when they were at the former Haut de la Garenne Children's Home, Jersey.

Mr Wateridge, of Rue de Maupertuis, St Clement, was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

The 76-year-old reserved his plea to all the charges at Jersey Magistrates' Court and was released on bail until 11 February.

Mr Wateridge, who was born in Croydon, south London, is the first person to be charged in connection with child abuse allegations.

Abuse helpline

Jersey Police began investigating allegations of abuse at government institutions and organisations in November last year.

Jersey Sea Cadets and the former Haute de la Garenne care home are the main focus of the investigation into the sexual and physical abuse of boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 15 dating back over several decades.

More than 100 people have contacted a helpline since the investigation began and further arrests are expected.