12:57pm UK, Wednesday March 05, 2008

A former resident of the care home at the centre of a major abuse investigation on the island of Jersey has claimed that attacks on children were rife on a second Channel Island.

Officers at Haut de la Garenne

Carl Denning stayed at the former children's home Haut de la Garenne on Jersey until he was 11 before being moved to two care centres on Guernsey.

Haut de la Garenne, dubbed "the house of horrors", is being investigated after more than 160 people claimed they were physically and sexually abused during the last 40 years.

Police excavating the site have also found a child's remains buried under a stairwell and a network of secret underground chambers where victims said they were kept in solitary confinement.

Mr Denning, of North Wales, claims that not only did he and other children suffer violent attacks while in care on Guernsey, but they were covered up.

He said: "There was definitely abuse going on in Guernsey, not to the same level as on Jersey but it was there.

"There was one bloke, he's dead now so he can't be brought to justice, he used to punch us and beat us. So did other staff.

"It wasn't sexual abuse but it was violent and there were other boys who suffered."

The 49-year-old, who is married and has four children, added: "No one would listen. I feel like the authorities really didn't believe what went on."

Guernsey police say Mr Denning has yet to report his claims to the police and that if he does then they will investigate.

Jersey police say they cannot comment on individual cases but they will investigate all claims of abuse. Protocol exists whereby neighbouring police forces share information.

A specialist military team is working at Haut de la Garenne using hi-tech radar equipment to search for more bodies.