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Sunday, 2 March 2008, 17:39 GMT

First pictures of 'abuse' cellar

Interior view of cellar at Haut de la Garenne The first pictures of the cellar at the centre of a child abuse investigation in Jersey have been released.

Police have been excavating the chamber at the Haut de la Garenne former children's home over the past week.

Around 160 people claim they were abused at the home and a child's remains were found under a floor in a stairwell last Saturday.

Forensic experts are continuing to sift evidence and suspect there may be four bricked-up chambers.

'Significant finds'

Dozens of people have come forward in the last week claiming they were abused while at the centre.

The allegations date back to the 1970s and 1980s and some are from more than 40 years ago.

There have been accusations that people were kept in solitary confinement, raped and beaten.

Interior view of cellar at Haut de la Garenne

Detectives said their investigation of the first cellar had uncovered two "significant finds" - reportedly shackles and a bath.

Police have used a digger to take off layers of soil but investigations were scaled down on Sunday to give forensic teams a break.

Twelve detectives from forces across England and Wales have been called in to help with the investigation.

Deputy police chief Lenny Harper told reporters on Saturday that police had been able to substantiate "to some degree" reports that someone had been approached by a former care worker and intimidated.

"I can't emphasise too much that anyone approaching victims or witnesses in this case could well be found to be perverting the course of justice," he warned.




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