Comments
Digital copy of Exhibit 5: Unsigned statement of Michael Laing. [Some details redacted]. Undated, c. 2008.
| Reference | ZC/D/AW1/A4/4/WD000009/3 |
| Date | 2008 |
| Scope and Content | Institutions Notes admissions to Haut de la Garenne between the years 1959 and 1968, following placement at Westaway Creche. Refers to temporary foster placments with families between 1959 and 1968. Provides details of life at Haut de la Garenne, mentioning bullying, placement in solitary confinement as a form of punishment, staff, and violence by staff. Provides details of foster placements, mentioning physical punishment, soiled underwear, pregnancy, and the behaviour of other children. Social Services Details concerns with the Children's Department, mentioning [Deputy Children's Officer] Charles Smith, and a woman named Thompson believed to be the Children's Officer [possibly Children's Officer Patricia Thornton]. Refers to the changing of his name depending on his foster placement at the time. Notes Michael Laing's complaint against the Children's Service and States of Jersey for failing in their duty of care towards him. Abuse and Consequences Refers to incident in the showers at Haut de la Garenne where the actions of a female member of staff caused Michael Laing to fall over and injure himself, leading to treatment at the General Hospital. Discusses Haut de la Garenne resident alleging abuse at Haut de la Garenne, and states that staff at Haut de la Garenne were helpful towards the resident in question. Refers to sexual abuse by the eldest son of Michael Laing's last foster family. Discusses complaints possible to pursue, mentioning deaths and ill health regarding those [previously having fostered] Michael Laing. Refers to having been caned at school as a form of corporal punishment, and considers caning to have been a lawful punishment at the time. [For a copy of this unsigned witness statement, see C/D/AW1/A4/4/WD000006]. |
| Names | Children's Services Children's Department Children's Office Jersey General Hospital Haut de la Garenne Historic Abuse Team Operation Rectangle Social Services States of Jersey States of Jersey Police Westaway Creche Laing, Michael Paul Smith, Charles Thornton, Patricia Thompson, Mrs |
| Keywords | child abuse | abuse | allegations | Children | childcare | Children's Officers | corporal punishment | caning | children's services | complaints | children's homes | Deputy Children's Officers | doctors | data protection | deaths | enuresis | exhibits | evidence | fostering | foster parents | Hospitals | injuries | IJCI | interviews | mental health | Media | names | Officer's Reports | punishments | physical abuse | psychiatry | Police | reports | showers | staff | social services | sexual abuse | statements | treatment | violence | witness statements | witnesses |
| Places | Police Station |
| Dimensions | 1 pdf file |
| Language | English |
| Level of description | File |
| Access restrictions | Closed for preservation - please consult digital copy |
Context:
Digital copy of Exhibit 5: Unsigned statement of Michael Laing. [Some details redacted]. Undated, c. 2008.
ZC/D/AW1/A4/4/WD000009/3
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