Man, 68, charged in Jersey probe

Sniffer dogs have helped investigators at a former children's home

A 68-year-old man has been charged with raping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in Jersey.

Police say the offence does not relate to the investigation into the Haute de la Garenne children's home, but is part of a wider inquiry into child abuse.

Claude Donnelly, of St Brelade, Jersey, will appear before St Helier magistrates on Wednesday.

Earlier, the police chief heading the abuse inquiry said he expects more arrests in coming weeks.

Deputy Police Chief Lenny Harper confirmed that his officers are investigating about 40 suspects, adding that not all of them will be arrested.

He said most of the arrests will probably be in Jersey.

Mr Donnelly, of St Brelade, Jersey, is charged with raping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl between 1971 and 1974 on the Channel Island, as well as gross indecency.

In the case of the former home at Haute de la Garenne, Jersey Police were unsure of how many arrests were expected but said there would be a number in coming weeks.

Bone fragments

More than 100 people have claimed they were abused there.

Two cellar rooms at the former home are being examined by investigators.

Bone and teeth fragments were found there in underground rooms.

Officers have been investigating the four cellars referred to as "punishment rooms" by alleged victims.

In 2006, covert investigations began following claims by former residents of sexual and physical abuse of children, dating back to the 1960s.

Earlier this month the case against the first man to be charged in connection with the care home abuse allegations was adjourned until 12 May.

Gordon Wateridge, 76, has been charged with indecently assaulting three girls under the age of 16.

He formerly worked as a warden at Haut de la Garenne, which was closed as a children's home in 1986.

Although he worked there, his arrest was unconnected with the discovery of a fragment of a child's skull at the former children's home and the ongoing forensic search there.