Comments
Digital copy of the Witness Statement of John Edmonds to the Inquiry providing an account of his experiences working in the Law Officers' Department since 2008 as Head of the Serious Crime Section and then Director of the Criminal Division. [Some details redacted].
| Reference | ZC/D/AW4/B2/18/WS000698 |
| Date | 19 January 2016 |
| Scope and Content | Provides background information including an overview of his career as a solicitor and prosecutor the United Kingdom between 1977 and 2008 before moving to Jersey in June 2008 to work in the Law Officers' Department as Head of the Serious Crime Section and then Director of the Criminal Division following restructuring of the Law Officers' Department in October 2009. Describes his move to Jersey, commenting on the application process and details of his role of Head of the Serious Crime Section. Includes a description of general prosecution procedure and the role of the Law Officers' Department. Outlines differences in the prosecution procedure for Operation Rectangle, referring to the cases involving individuals including Gordon Wateridge, Michael Aubin, Leonard Vandenborn, Morag and Tony Jordan, and Claude Donnelly. Sets out details of his role and involvement with Operation Rectangle. Includes an explanation of procedural and evidential considerations in the decision to prosecute, referring to crimes and délits, disclosure, concerns in relation to obtaining evidence, and witness reliability. Describes changes to the prosecution team dynamic following the departure of Lenny Harper and arrival of David Warcup and Mick Gradwell, referring to the introduction of prosecution panel meetings. Details internal issues within the States of Jersey Police and sets out details of political imperatives for Operation Rectangle. Provides background to a media briefing on 12 November 2008 and remarks about the briefing itself. Comments on specific Operation Rectangle cases including: [Houseparents at a Family Group Home], an individual accused of rape in around 1968, Alan and Jane Maguire, and Tony and Morag Jordan. Includes comments about the law of corroboration as it related to cases under consideration in Operation Rectangle. Also comments on a number of points made by Mr [Lenny] Harper in his statement and evidence to the Inquiry described as misleading or inaccurate. Finishes with closing comments regarding his experience in Jersey since 2008, including observations about criminal law and procedure in Jersey. |
| Names | Allen, Tim Aubin, Michael Bailhache, William Baker, Stephen Belhomme, Andrew Binnington, Alan Birt, Michael Bonjour, André Paolo Boschat, Roy Christmas, Ian Donnelly, Claude James du Val, Shaun Edmonds, John Ellison, Mark Evans, Shane, Detective Constable Ferreira Family Fossey, Alison Gilbert Family Gradwell, Mick Harper, Lenny Hewlett, Peter Jordan, Morag Jordan, Tony Jowitt, Matthew Lacey, Beverley, Advocate Latham, Richard Le Cocq, Timothy Le Marquand, Ian Lewis, Andrew, Deputy Lundy, Mario Maguire, Alan Maguire, Jane Minty, David Newman, Mark, Detective Constable Nicolle, Stéphanie O'Donnell, Laurence Osmand, Sean Pitchers, Sir Christopher Power, Graham Redgrave, William Sharp, Howard Shaw, Bridget Sinel, Philip Smith, Andrew, Detective Sergeant Syvret, Stuart Tapp, Matt Thirwall, Kate, QC Thomas, Simon Vandenborn, Len Warcup, David Wateridge, Gordon Whelan, Cyril Wilkins, Mike Association of Chief Police Officers Attorney General Avon and Somerset Constabulary BakerPlatt Blanche Pierre Family Group Home Bristol Crown Court Court of Appeal Crown Prosecution Service Education Sport and Culture Haut de la Garenne Home Affairs Honorary Police Lacey Advocates Law Officers' Department Magistrate's Court Metropolitan Police Service Mourant Ozannes Operation Rectangle Privy Council Professional Standards Department Royal Court Solicitor General South Yorkshire Police States Employment Board States of Jersey States of Jersey Police The Guardian The Times West Midlands County Council |
| Keywords | abuse | advocates | allegations | assault | Attorneys General | centeniers | child abuse | child protection | children's homes | Children | children's services | codes | convictions | corroboration | crime | Crown Advocates | E-mail | evidence | Family Group Homes | honorary police | houseparents | IJCI | inquiries | interviews | investigations | law officers | laws | legal advice | parish hall enquiries | physical abuse | Police | procedures | prosecutions | rape | reports | sexual abuse | Solicitors General | statements | suspensions | viscounts | witness statements | witnesses |
| Places | Avon, Bath, 9-11, Blanche Pierre Close, Bristol, England, France, Guernsey, Haut de la Garenne, Isle of Man, Jersey, Scotland, Somerset, Taunton, United Kingdom, Wales, West Midlands |
| Dimensions | 1 pdf file |
| Language | English |
| Level of description | File |
| Access restrictions | Closed for preservation - please consult digital copy |
Context:
Digital copy of the Witness Statement of John Edmonds to the Inquiry providing an account of his experiences working in the Law Officers' Department since 2008 as Head of the Serious Crime Section and then Director of the Criminal Division. [Some details redacted].
ZC/D/AW4/B2/18/WS000698
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