Gordan Claude Wateridge

A jury at the Royal Court of Jersey in St Helier, has found Gordon Claude Wateridge, guilty of nine of the 21 counts against which he was charged.

The jury, made up of 10 men and two women, found him guilty of eight counts of indecent assault and one count of assault. He was found not guilty of 11 counts of indecent assault and one count of incitement to indecent assault.

The trial began on Monday 10 August 2009 and the jury delivered their verdicts on Thursday 20 August 2009. The offences were alleged to have taken place at the former children’s home Haut de la Garenne in the Parish of St Martin, between 1970 and 1974, when he was a house-parent there.

During summing up the judge Commissioner Sir Christopher Pitchers, told the 78-year-old defendant that a custodial sentence was likely as he had held a “position of trust” at the former children’s home.

Sentencing is likely to take place in mid-September 2009.

Notes:
1. The judge was Commissioner Sir Christopher Pitchers.
2. The prosecuting counsel was Crown Advocate Stephen Baker.
3. The defence counsel was Advocate Michael Preston.