Remains of five children found

Press Association

July 31, 2008

Burnt and cut remains from at least five children have been found at Haut de la Garenne in Jersey, police revealed.

But because of difficulties in dating bones and teeth belonging to the unidentified children, aged between four and 11, a murder inquiry is unlikely to follow.

The former children's home has been at the centre of a massive abuse probe on the island state in the English Channel.

Deputy Chief Officer Lenny Harper, from States of Jersey Police, explained the difficulties dating the teeth and bone fragments found in the hidden cellars at Haut de la Garenne described as "punishment rooms" by former residents.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today: "At the end of the day there may not be the evidence there to mount a homicide inquiry and an attempt to bring anybody to justice for whatever crimes took place there."

Police have evidence the bodies were burned and attempts were made to conceal the bodies in the late 60s to early 70s. To date, police have recovered a total of 65 milk teeth from the cellars at Haut de la Garenne. Experts believe the teeth could only have come out after death because of their condition.

More than 100 human bone fragments were also found at the site with one piece identified as coming from a child's leg and another from a child's ear.

Tests showed some fragments were cut while others were burnt, suggesting that murders had taken place and the victims' bodies had possibly been cremated in a fireplace.

Meanwhile, campaigners called on the UK Government to intervene in the abuse scandal.

Former Jersey health minister Stuart Syvret said the "only hope" for action over abuse at former children's home Haut de La Garenne is a UK-led probe