Croydon-born pensioner found guilty in Jersey care home abuse case

A pensioner has been found guilty of sexually abusing young girls at a Jersey care home.

Croydon-born Gordon Wateridge was charged with being abusive to young girls in his care when he worked as a house parent at Haut De La Garenne.

Wateridge, described as a “sexually bully” by police, was the first person charged in connection with the historical abuse enquiry led by Jersey police.

At the Royal Court of Jersey this week he was found guilty of alleged sexual offences against young girls.

Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell, senior investigating officer for Operation Rectangle for the States of Jersey Police, said: “We hope the complainants involved in this trial have received some comfort from the decision reached by the court.

“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and effort of the people involved in this case such as the investigation team, the witness liaison officers and the legal team, as well as the challenges the complainants have had to face both before and during this trial.

“The historical abuse enquiry is continuing and there is another case in the court process.

"I am unable to comment about the investigation in wider detail at this time.

“We would like to emphasise that the States of Jersey Police take reports of historical abuse seriously, and are committed to investigating them.”

Wateridge, 78 now living in St Clement, was found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault and one count of assault yesterday (Thursday).

He was found not guilty of 11 counts of indecent assault and one count of incitement to indecent assault.