Child abuse inquiry: Fourth man in court

Saturday 31st October 2009, 2:59PM GMT.

The Royal Court building

THE fourth man charged in the historical child abuse inquiry, Ronald George Thorne (71), admitted in the Royal Court yesterday committing acts of gross indecency with a boy.

Thorne, who was born in Jersey, admitted inciting the commission by a boy, who was then aged under 14, of an act of gross indecency with him, between December 1981 and March 1984.

He also pleaded guilty to procuring the commission by a boy then aged under 14 of an act of gross indecency with him in 1983. The charges are not connected to the former children’s home Haut de la Garenne.

Commissioner Sir Philip Bailhache, sitting with Jurats Clapham and Fisher, ordered that Thorne remain on conditional bail until sentencing by the Inferior Number on Friday 27 November.

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