Man admits sex abuse at Jersey children's home
A man pleaded guilty yesterday to sexually abusing boys at a notorious Jersey children's home.
Michael Aubin admitted gross indecency and indecent assault on children under ten at Haut de la Garenne, the Channel island's Royal Court heard.
The 46-year-old cleaner, who lives in St Denys, near Southampton, carried out the attacks while a resident at the home in the 1970s.
A police officer outside former children's home Haut de la Garenne during the investigation into child abuse on Jersey
A police officer outside former children's home Haut de la Garenne during the investigation into child abuse on Jersey
He earlier pleaded not guilty to three further counts of indecent assault. These charges will be dealt with after Aubin is sentenced on June 22.
Stephen Baker, prosecuting, told the court Aubin was a resident at the home and, when interviewed by police, he told them he was also the victim of abuse.
He said experts believed Aubin could have enjoyed being abused and, when he was older, liked 'dominating' young children.
Mr Baker said they had accepted the pleas after 'detailed discussions' with the police and the victims in the case.
He said: 'The views of each of the complainants has been sought. Each is in agreement with the position the Crown is to take.
'The boys did not resist at the time. It may be that, in Aubin's disturbed mind, he mistook the lack of resistance for compliance.
'It seems plain that this was a very disturbed young man in his teens. Quite what was going through his mind is impossible to tell.
'Largely what he did was dominate children in an illegal fashion.'
The child abuse investigation centred on Haut de la Garenne. Police amassed a list of 40 suspects after scores of people came forward claiming they were sexually and physically abused there.
Aubin is the first person convicted following a high-profile investigation into child abuse on Jersey.
At least two other people have been charged in connection with the investigation.
Police said they hoped Aubin's conviction would give victims of child abuse on Jersey some small peace of mind.
'The States of Jersey Police would like to thank all the witnesses who have been courageous enough to come forward, and stress that the historical abuse inquiry remains ongoing,' Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell said.