British paedophile suspect sent to police custody

Waters was accused by four street children (13-18 years) of sexually abusing them at the Anchorage shelters set up in 1995-6 by friend and co-accused, Duncan Grant.

Today, the burly Briton — he was given company on the court benches by a aide from the British Deputy High Commission — looked on as his lawyer pleaded his case.

A few street children who used to live at the Anchorage shelters watched the proceedings. ‘‘My great fear is that my client, a very respected man in the UK, is being subjected to a great media trial,’’ Memon said.

Minutes after the magistrate had allowed Waters to be kept in police custody, some inmates from Anchorage gathered outside the courtroom to make statements to media crews about how much Grant, and his friends like Waters who paid regular visits, had done to improve their lives.

‘‘The lawyer asked us to come here today morning,’’ said a child simply, while another spoke fiercely about the material repercussions of the sexual abuse case. ‘‘Since Father Duncan has left, money has dried up for the shelter. I have had to drop out of my school in Murud,’’ he said.