'Ruthless' paedophile convicted

A 69-year-old Jersey man, described as a ruthless paedophile, has been found guilty of raping and abusing a child.

Claude Donnelly from St Brelade was found guilty of 10 counts of indecent assault, procuring an act of gross indecency and four counts of rape.

The jury at the Royal Court returned a unanimous verdict on all but one of the indecent assault charges.

At an earlier trial Donnelly was found guilty of raping and indecently assaulting a teenage girl in the 1980s.

Thursday's 15 convictions related to a woman who told the court Donnelly started abusing her 30 years ago when she was eight.

Outside the Royal Court, Det Supt Mick Gradwell, who is in charge of the island's historic abuse inquiry, said: "Donnelly is without doubt a ruthless, predatory paedophile, whose behaviour has affected the young girls he preyed upon.

"We hope the victims who have been involved in these two trials have received some comfort and satisfaction from the decision that's been reached by the courts."

Donnelly was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 21 August.

Neither trial was linked to the ongoing investigation at the former Haut de la Garenne children's home.

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