3rd suspect arrested in connection with alleged abuse at children's home on British island of Jersey

The Associated Press

LONDON: A third suspect was arrested Thursday in connection with an investigation into allegations that more than 100 boys and girls were sexually abused decades ago at a children's home on the island of Jersey, police said.

The 50-year-old suspect is accused of serious crimes at the Haut de la Garenne home and elsewhere. Police refused to identify the man or provide details about his alleged crimes.

The Haut de la Garenne home is the focus of one of Britain's largest child sex abuse investigations. Police have excavated four underground chambers at the building, referred to as punishment rooms by some victims, and have found shackles, a large blood stained bath and 26 children's teeth.

Tests suggested the teeth were unlikely to have fallen out naturally, police said. At least 30 charred human bone fragments have also been found.

Earlier this month, Michael Aubin, 45, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting three young boys at the home between 1977 and 1980.

The home opened in 1867 as an industrial school where many juvenile delinquents were housed, later becoming the Jersey Home for Boys. After it was closed in 1986, the building was extensively renovated and reopened in 2004 as a youth hostel catering to budget travelers.

Jersey is one of the Channel Islands off the coast of France. It is not part of the United Kingdom but is a territory owned by the British monarchy.