Men in court on sex abuse charges

The charges relate to a former children's home on Jersey

Two men have appeared in court to face charges of sexually assaulting children at Jersey's former Haut de la Garenne care home.

Gordon Claude Wateridge, 77, pleaded not guilty to 17 counts involving five alleged victims between 1970 and 1974.

Michael Aubin, 46, faces 11 counts involving five alleged victims between 1977 and 1978. He reserved his plea.

Mr Wateridge was given conditional bail and Mr Aubin was remanded in custody. There is no connection between the men.

Mr Wateridge, originally from Croydon, south London, pleaded not guilty at Jersey Royal Court to 15 charges of indecent assault on girls under the age of 16 and one count of incitement to indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16.

Michael Aubin covered his head when he arrived at the Royal Court

He also denied one count of assault on a boy aged between 12 and 13. His case was adjourned to 25 November for directions with a trial expected on 20 April next year.

Mr Aubin, from Southampton, is charged with six counts of indecent assault on boys, two counts of sodomy and two counts of procuring an act of gross indecency.

The charges are alleged to have taken place between 17 February 1977 and 19 July 1978 and involve five different complainants.