Jersey abuse case solicitor says sentence is ‘vindication’ for victims

Jersey abuse case solicitor says sentence is ‘vindication’ for victims Portsmouth solicitor speaks out on latest conviction Alan Collins, solicitor-advocate for Portsmouth-based Verisona, who has acted on behalf of some of the victims in the “Haut de la Garenne” children’s care home case in Jersey, says that the conviction of Gordon Wateridge, is vindication for them. He explained: “For those victims who allege that they were abused, Wateridge's conviction today is an important milestone that has been reached and passed in their fight for justice.” Versiona Solicitors & Advocates have been instructed to pursue civil claims against the States of Jersey. The Royal Court in St. Helier heard evidence that Wateridge, a houseparent at the home from 1970-1974, had assaulted and indecently assaulted children who were in care at Haut de la Garenne. Alan, who has travelled as far as Australia in his bid to seek justice for his clients, added: “The trial has brought into sharp focus the allegations. The resulting conviction is vindication of our client's claims of abuse and leaves little, if any, doubt that the regime that was there to care for them, failed in the worse possible way. It is hoped that the States of Jersey will now accept that it has to do right by these people and give them the redress that they seek.” -END- Words: 208 Alan Collins is a solicitor-advocate, and Director of Verisona Solicitors and Advocates. He can be contacted on 02392380112 for further comment. Notes to the editor: Verisona Solicitors and Advocates is a new law company incorporated in October 2008 following the merger of two south coast solicitors, Dyer Burdett and Gray Purdue. Both had been operating in excess of thirty years, and were well established in their specialist fields. . Verisona, the trading style of the new company, is derived from the Latin words ‘Veritas’ meaning ‘truth’ and ‘sona’ meaning ‘speak’ or ‘sound’. Verisona’s key areas of business include: Employment, Family Law, Commercial Law, Residential Conveyancing, Commercial Property, Mediation Services, Marine Law, Wills, Estates and Probate and Personal Injury and the business operates from offices in the newly refurbished Lakeside building in North Harbour, Portsmouth, and also at offices in Havant and Waterlooville For further press information please contact Debbie Osborne at Logical Creative Marketing on 0845 345 6969 or email debbie@lcm.co.uk