Late plea change in abuse hearing

Tuesday 12th May 2009, 2:59PM BST.

Haut de la Garenne

THE first trial in the historical child abuse inquiry was stopped at the 11th hour this morning after the accused changed his pleas.

Former Haut de la Garenne resident Michael Aubin (46), has admitted that when he was aged around 15 or 16, he committed two acts of gross indecency and indecently assaulted a boy aged eight or nine years old.

He has also admitted indecently assaulting another boy, aged nine or ten, around the same time. All offences took place in either 1977 or 1978 at the former children’s home in St Martin.

Aubin appeared in the Royal Court this morning due to face a trial by Jurats for more serious charges, but after negotiations – including consultations with the victims – it was agreed that guilty pleas to slightly lesser charges would be accepted.

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