Third Held Over Jersey Care Home 'Abuse'

A man arrested in connection with allegations of sexual abuse at a former care home in Jersey is believed to have been a previous resident, Sky News has discovered.

The 45-year-old suspect was detained in the UK on Thursday over offences alleged to have taken place at Haut de la Garenne in the 1970s and 1980s.

He is the third man to be arrested as part of a continuing historic abuse inquiry on the island.

A Jersey Police spokeswoman said: "This is in connection with alleged serious sexual crimes at Haut de la Garenne in the 1970s and early 1980s.

"The arrest of the man, 45, who is Jersey-born, took place in the UK yesterday.

"The man was brought back to Jersey last night and is now in custody at police headquarters. He will be questioned during today.

"The States of Jersey Police will not release the name of the man unless he is charged."

Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt said the man is thought to have been a former resident of the home.

He is the second man to be arrested in connection with the alleged child abuse.

Gordon Claude Wateridge, 76, originally from Croydon, south London, is charged with three offences of indecent assault on girls under 16 between 1969 and 1979.

A third man has been arrested as part of the wider abuse inquiry.

Claude Donnelly, 68, of St Brelade, is charged with raping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl on Jersey between 1971 and 1974.

Neither man has entered a plea.