Tuesday 12 May 2009

Man admits Jersey care home abuse

A man has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing boys at a Jersey care home.

Michael Aubin admitted two counts of gross indecency and two counts of indecent assault on children under 10-years-old at Haut de la Garenne.

The 46-year-old cleaner, who was born in Jersey and lives in Southampton, Hampshire, carried out the attacks while living at the home in the 1970s.

He pleaded guilty at Jersey's Royal Court, having earlier denied three further counts of indecent assault.

They will be dealt with after Aubin is sentenced on 22 June.

Stephen Baker, prosecuting, said the pleas were accepted after "detailed discussions" with the police and the victims in the case.

"Each [of the complainants] is in agreement with the position the Crown is to take," he said.

Aubin is the first person to be convicted following a wide-ranging police investigation into historic child abuse on the island.

It centred on the Haut de la Garenne care home and police amassed a list of 40 suspects after scores of people came forward claiming they were sexually and physically abused there.

At least two other people have been charged in connection with the investigation

Source