Detective superintendent Mick Gradwell reads out a statement following the verdicts on Gordon Wateridge. Picture by Richard Wainwright (00770065)

THE police officer in charge of the team that put together the case against Gordon Wateridge paid tribute to those who had worked toward the conviction.

Outside the Royal Court building yesterday after Wateridge had been convicted on eight counts of indecent assault and one of assault, Det Supt Mick Gradwell said: ‘We hope the complainants involved in this trial have received some comfort from the decision reached by the court.’

He said that Wateridge was the first person charged in connection with the historical abuse inquiry and been found guilty of sexual offences against young girls. Mr Gradwell added that as a house parent at Haut de la Garenne, Wateridge was ‘a sexual bully’ towards vulnerable young girls in his care.

Mr Gradwell added that the historical abuse inquiry was continuing and that as there was another case in the court process, he was unable to comment about the investigation in wider detail.

Wateridge being cleared on 12 counts relating to evidence given by two complainants, including more serious charges of indecent assault.