The Sharp Report into Child Abuse in Jersey

 A professional and deeply disturbing investigation into many years of sustained and unlawfully concealed child abuse at Jersey’s leading private school, Victoria College.

Before the era of citizens media, this kind of shocking filth and corruption by our (alleged) elite, would have been hidden from us forever.

The Sharp Report can be read at the link below.

http://www.no2abuse.com/index.php/news/comments/the-sharp-report-jersey-abuse-download/

and one page which is missing  but published below

B18   17 January – The Headmaster’s appointment diary records a meeting arranged with the boy’s father for 3.30 pm.

Events During 1995

B19   From 8 to 22 July a sailing trip took place around the Greek coast (having flown to Athens) led by Mr Jervis-Dykes. The second yacht was skippered by Mr [Piers] Baker.

Events During May 1996

B20   In May information reached the police which led to enquiries beginning into the behaviour of Mr Jervis-Dykes.

B21   During the week of 20-24 May, at a States Personnel middle management course at L’Horizon Hotel, DS Faudemer approached Mr Rotherham, the Head of the Sixth form, (who was a fellow member of the course) for information about Mr Jervis-Dykes. Mr Rotherham gave no information but reported the conversations to the Headmaster who contacted the police to protest at “harassment” of Mr Rotherham.

Events in June and July 1996

B22   Mr Jervis-Dykes was arrested at 7.38 am on Wednesday, 5^th June 1996 at his home in Mont Millais Court. A substantial quantity of video and other photographic evidence was seized, including video equipment and a Sky TV Adult Channel subscription card.

B23   Later that day, following discussion with the Director of Education (Mr. Grady), the Headmaster suspended Mr Jervis-Dykes.

B24   The Police received statements on 8 June and 12 June from three former students, detailing incidents in 1992, 1984 and 1985/6 respectively.

B25   On Monday 10 June, D Sgt Faudemer and D Sgt Pryke went to Victoria College, met the Headmaster and were shown the aide-memoire of the reprimand to Mr Jervis-Dykes dated 11 January 1994.

B26   On Thursday 13 June, a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Victoria College Parent Teacher Association was held. Among those present were the Headmaster and Mr Piers Baker, then Head of the Junior School. The Minutes of the meeting include the following:

“In respect of the allegations revealed in the Jersey Evening Post concerning a College Teacher, the Headmaster reported that he could give no more information than was stated in the Press. The Press are keen to put a slant on the situation. Three parents of the Committee were confident in respect of this person and were shocked by the news. The Headmaster stated that the teacher remains suspended and this was a decision of the Chairman of Governors and the Director of Education in line with normal policy. The Committee were hopeful for a low profile approach.”

B27   That evening Mr Baker wrote a letter (which is included in the folder accompanying the Police Report) from his home address to D Sgt Faudemer. In it, Mr Baker said:

“You may recall that we met very briefly at Victoria College on Monday. I am the Head of the Junior School at the College. I am a Maths teacher and as a Naval Reservist have been closely involved in the activities of the CCF over the years. In both these roles I have worked closely with Mr Jervis-Dykes.

I write because I fear that we might be heading for a gross miscarriage of justice. Whilst I am not privy (nor would it be proper for me to be so,) to the details of your investigation, I do have specific knowledge and experience of Mr Jervis-Dykes’ activities over a number of years. I have been with him as accompanying officer on a number of sailing expeditions and he has assisted me in the College‘s local dinghy sailing programme. We have both been involved in the on-shore and out of the Island training of numerous cadets.

I have often shared accommodation in yachts with him and I have never seen or been made aware of any inappropriate behaviour on his part. My own son has been in the cadet force for three years and I would have been horrified had I had any suspicion of misconduct by any officer. I would not have allowed such a situation to continue and I would have raised the matter with the Headmaster and yourselves without hesitation.

I hope as you continue your investigations that you will wish to take evidence as much from those who can verify his good character as from those who may have other agendas. Many parents and students can vouch for the upright open and dedicated way in which he has always carried out his duties.

There have been times when Mr Dykes’s dynamic approach to leadership training has been the cause of envy from others. Likewise, his obvious care for and involvement with the welfare of students has stood out as superior to what most of us manage to achieve.

Perhaps these things have led to false allegations being made. I certainly recall occasions of deliberate and unsubtle attempts by some local individuals to pull the College training down. That, sadly, is the small-minded nature of certain elements in our society today. I am sure your own duties bring you into contact with this often enough!

I hope this letter will further your investigations and ensure that we do not continue to damage a man’s career for longer than is justified.”

B28   Shortly after receiving this letter D Sgt Faudemer arranged for Mr Baker to be invited to Police Headquarters at Rouge Bouillon on 19 June, when he met PC Cornelisson and D Sgt Pryke. They showed him photographs and clips from two videos (one 8mm. one VHS) seized on 5 June. Mr Baker was asked if he could identify a boy in the videos. Mr Baker said he could not with certainty identify the boy. On his return to the College, Mr Baker told the Headmaster of the meeting at Rouge Bouillon and told him whom the police thought the boy in the video might be. The Headmaster subsequently viewed the video clips at Rouge Bouillon and did not feel able to identify the boy with certainty.

B29   During the rest of June and July, further disclosing statements were made to the police by six former pupils and two current pupils, relating to incidents between 1986 and 1995.

B30   On 2 July Mr Rotherham reported to police the disclosure to him by a pupil in November 1992.

B31   On Monday 15 July, at a meeting of the Governing Body chaired by Sir Philip Bailhache, the Headmaster reported that Mr Jervis-Dykes had been suspended on full pay because of allegations which were being handled by the police. It was agreed that Sir Michael Alcock, Senator Jeune and Mr McKeon (present as Assistant Director) would convene a Disciplinary Sub Committee meeting. Advocate Falle was present as an observer and took over soon after as Chairman of Governors. Next day, because of travel and other comp1ications Mr Falle replaced Sir Michael as proposed chairman of the Sub Committee meeting. (It was noted at the time that Mr Dykes was out of the Island.) The Headmaster had taken advice from his professional association. He wrote that “The Governors need only show improper behaviour and depending on the gravity have the power to invite a resignation or dismiss summarily. Any action must of course follow a proper hearing.”

B32   On 22 July, the Headmaster wrote to Advocate Falle, confirming a disciplinary meeting to be held on 14 August, before Advocate Falle, Mr Richard Robins, the Director of Education (Mr Grady) and the Headmaster. Mr Jervis-Dykes had been sent a copy of the complaints against him and had been advised that he may wish to be accompanied by a professional friend.

B33   On 25 July, Mr Jervis-Dykes wrote to the Chairman of Governors giving “the required one terms notice of my resignation from the post of Head of the Department of Mathematics”.