THE failure to charge, arrest or extradite some of the suspects in the historical child abuse inquiry has had a ‘beyond devastating’ effect on their victims, according to a lawyer representing the Jersey Care Leavers’ Association.

Advocate Philip Sinel says that victims and witnesses have more information and evidence to give to the inquiry, but that they need reassurance that they are being taken seriously by lawyers in charge of the prosecutions.

In a letter to Crown Advocate Stephen Baker – the lawyer leading the prosecution – Advocate Sinel says that some suspects have been arrested and released, while others have not been extradited to the Island.

‘My clients and others know far more than has been given to the police already and have leads that would bring more information forth,’ wrote Advocate Sinel. ‘If the prosecution will establish its bona fides by pursuing the obvious ones, i.e. by getting them off the street, then more information will be forthcoming.’