Historical abuse case comes to Royal Court

Monday 10th August 2009, 2:59PM BST.

Gordon Wateridge arrives at the Royal Court with his head covered. Picture: Press Association

THE Assize trial of former Haut de la Garenne houseparent Gordon Claude Wateridge was due to start today.

The 78-year-old is charged with indecently assaulting children at the St Martin children’s home over 35 years ago.

Mr Wateridge, who was born in Croydon and lives in the Island, denies all of the charges, which include 19 counts of alleged indecent assault on five girls, one of unlawfully inciting boys to commit an indecent assault on a girl and one of assaulting a boy.

The offences are alleged to have taken place at the former children’s home between 1970 and 1974. The case will be heard in the Royal Court by a jury of 12 and presided over by Commissioner Sir Christopher Pitchers, a UK judge.

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