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Alphonse Le Gastelois

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Alphonse Le Gastelois
Born(1914-10-14)October 14, 1914[1]
Jersey
DiedJune 3, 2012(2012-06-03) (aged 97)
Jersey
NationalityBritish
EducationSt Martin's School
Occupation(s)Agricultural worker and fisherman
Height1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)

Alphonse Le Gastelois (October 14, 1914 - June 3, 2012) was an agricultural worker and fisherman from Jersey who lived in self-imposed exile on the Ecréhous reef for 14 years after being wrongly accused of a string of child sex attacks. Fearing for his life, Le Gastelois felt compelled to leave Jersey to live on the small island six miles to the north east of Jersey, having been treated as a criminal and ostracised by many who lived on Jersey. Ten years later, on July 10, 1971, the real criminal, Edward Paisnel, nicknamed the Beast of Jersey, was caught and on November 29, 1971, was sentenced for 13 sex attacks, ending an 11-year reign of terror.

Suspicion and arrest

In a documentary, a journalist described how Le Gastelois liked to roam the country lanes at night. Stan de la Haye of the Honorary Police described Le Gastelois as a loner who wore a dirty old raincoat tied up with a piece of rope - thus matching the description of the wanted man.

Unfounded grudges against Le Gastelois were formed in fear, and fuelled by the local police force in Jersey not speaking out to trample gossip. As the hysteria reached fever pitch, Le Gastelois' unconventional lifestyle led him to become one of 30 suspects arrested during an investigation by Scotland Yard. He was released after 14 hours of questioning due to a lack of evidence. His clothes were sent for forensic examination at Scotland Yard, and on release he was issued with ill-fitting clothes. Unlike the other suspects, Le Gastelois' name was released to the public, and became a scapegoat.

The attacks of the Beast of Jersey continued unabated. Public suspicion against Le Gastelois remained so strong, however, that his cottage was burnt down in an act of arson.[2]

In the documentary, Le Gastelois said that the police had searched his house 12 times in 12 months.

Exile

In 1961, Advocate Denys Richardson took Le Gastelois out to the reef in his boat, where Le Gastelois took on some work refurbishing the hut belonging to Advocate Richardson, and doing odd jobs for other hut owners. He described his life on the reef as "paradise compared to what I've been through."

Reclusive life on the reef

Despite Paisnel's capture, Le Gastelois continued to live a quiet life of solitude on the islet of La Marmotière, explaining that he had become so used to it and it was his home with all his possessions there with him. His story became a cause célèbre and the bearded character soon established himself as the ‘King of the Ecréhous’ and became an attraction for those visiting the reef.[3][4]

The huts on the reef have no running water nor electricity. During the bitterly cold winters, there would be no visitors to the islands for months at a time. To survive, he lived off the land as best he could, becoming expert at finding lobsters in the expanse of rock pools at low tide. He collected rain water, and his diet also included seaweed and seagull eggs. Visitors to the reef would often bring him supplies and books from Jersey. He said in an interview that he did not like the fish but preferred the seaweed. To keep warm he would pull two tables together, cover them with a blanket to make a tent and then light a candle or small fire inside it.


King of the Ecréhous

Le Gastelois had been given some law books and he believed that if he lived on the reef for 10 years he could claim squatter's rights and lawfully claim it as his own. He wrote letters to the Queen to stake his claim.[5]

Accusation of arson

After 14 years living as a hermit, in 1975 a posse of officials from Jersey went to the reef to exterminate rabbits which were said to be destroying what little vegetation existed there. As they were returning to Jersey, the biggest building on the reef, a hut belonging to Lady Trent caught fire and was destroyed. The rabbits were a source of food for Le Gastelois who was arrested and accused of lighting the fire as an act of revenge. He was imprisoned for 3 months on remand, but at his subsequent Royal Court trial he was unanimously acquitted by the 24-strong jury who took just minutes to reach their 'not guilty' verdict.[6]

Return to Jersey

Despite saying that he had no reason to go back to Jersey, Le Gastelois did not return to the Écréhous and remained in Jersey from 1975 until his death in June 2012. He moved into a single room at the rear end of a cottage in Dumaresq Street, St. Helier owned by the States of Jersey. He mostly kept himself locked in. He suffered severe back pain which impaired his ability to walk very far. Having received no pension he was living in extreme poverty.[7][8]

Later he lived at Victoria Cottage Homes for 3 years, then Guardian Nursing Home for another 3 years and then the last 18 months of his life at Palm Springs nursing home.[9]

Interviews and documentary

Le Gastelois gave an interview to Channel Television in 1964[10] and to the Jersey Evening Post in 1966. In 1998 he was the subject of an award-winning 24 minute documentary.[11]

Proposed compensation

In 1999, The States of Jersey debated a proposition[12] brought by Senator J.S. Rothwell to pay Le Gastelois £20,000 in compensation as a token of support to redress the injustice that he had suffered.[13][14][15][16] In a BBC interview he was quoted as saying "What can you do? You can't rebuild my life, you can't rebuild me. I don't want much now, only want to be left in peace." He said of the proposed compensation: "It's a bit late in life but it will help." [17][18]

The Finance and Economics Committee presented written comments to the States, expressing their sympathy for Le Gastelois' circumstances but in their opinion paying compensation could establish a precedent.[19] After the States voted against holding the debate in camera, Senator Rothwell withdrew his proposition.

Family

Le Gastelois never married, and he left no children. His sister still lives in Jersey.

Memorial

Amongst the many friends that attended his funeral were 9 expert mariners from Normandy who had been amongst Le Gastelois' most frequent visitors during his exile, including Mr. Alain Blancheton, former harbourmaster of Carteret who gave the eulogy.[20]

A Facebook group has been set up to gain public support for a suitable memorial.[21] St Martin's honorary police have also expressed interest. The Facebook group has suggested "Wrongly Accused; forgive us" as a suitable epitaph.

References

  1. ^ "Jersey Heritage Trust". Jersey Heritage Trust. Archived from the original on 2012-06-12. Retrieved 12 June 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Histoire des Minquiers et des Ecréhou, Robert Sinsoilliez, St Malo 1995, ISBN 2-905970-97-9
  3. ^ Article in Jersey Evening Post This is Jersey 3rd June 2012
  4. ^ Jersey Witches, Ghosts & Traditions, Hillsdon, Norwich 1987, ISBN 0-7117-0371-X
  5. ^ "King in exile who fled from an Island's curses". Jersey Evening Post. June 14, 2012. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  6. ^ http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_jerseynews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=499845 Article online Channel Online TV Announcing his Death in Jersey 3rd June 2012
  7. ^ "'Sex exile' compensation call". BBC News. September 14, 1999. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  8. ^ Rothwell, John Stephen (August 10, 1999). "ALPHONSE LE GASTELOIS: EX GRATIA PAYMENT" (PDF). States Greffe. p. 3. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  9. ^ "King in exile who fled from an Island's curses". Jersey Evening Post. June 14, 2012. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  10. ^ "Alphonse "King of the Ecrehous" has died". Channel Television. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  11. ^ "A 1998 documentary 'King of the Ecrehous'". Channel Television. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  12. ^ Rothwell, John Stephen (August 10, 1999). "ALPHONSE LE GASTELOIS: EX GRATIA PAYMENT" (PDF). States Greffe. p. 3. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  13. ^ "'Sex exile' compensation call". BBC News. September 14, 1999. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  14. ^ "States Assembly Minutes 14th September 1999" (PDF). States of Jersey. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  15. ^ "Death of falsely accused exile Alphonse Le Gastelois". BBC Jersey. June 8, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  16. ^ "Beast of Jersey falsely accused Alphonse Le Gastelois dies". BBC Jersey. June 7, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  17. ^ "'Sex exile' compensation call". BBC News. September 14, 1999. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  18. ^ "Death of falsely accused exile Alphonse Le Gastelois". BBC Jersey. June 8, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  19. ^ "ALPHONSE LE GASTELOIS: EX-GRATIA PAYMENT (P.111/99): COMMENTS" (PDF). States Greffe. September 14, 1999. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  20. ^ "Friends from Normandy recall regular visits to Ecrehous exile". Jersey Evening Post. June 14, 2012. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  21. ^ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alphonse-Le-Gastelois-Memorial-Group/312958635455442/ Alphonse Le Gastelois Memorial Group
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