Police to investigate JSPCA finances

Wednesday 22 November 2017

It's been confirmed that the Chief Executive of the JSPCA is no longer employed by the charity, who also say the police are now investigating their finances.

The JSPCA Animals' Shelter confirmed in a short statement this morning that Major Stephen Coleman, who had been its Chief Executive for over a decade, was no longer in the role.

The statement doesn't say whether he has left voluntarily or was dismissed, and Express has asked for that to be confirmed. So far the JSPCA hasn't responded. 

Separately, the Charity says there has been a review of its finances by “external professionals”, which has led to a referral to the Police.

The whole statement read: “Stephen Coleman is no longer employed by the JSPCA.

“The Committee has engaged external professionals to undertake a review of certain financial matters, as a consequence of which certain issues have been referred to the police for investigation. The Committee has no desire to prejudice that investigation and so will make no further comment at this time.”

The announcement that Major Coleman has parted ways with the JSPCA comes five months after the charity announced that he had “taken a leave of absence” without any prior warning or explanation.

Pictured: The JSPCA are yet to confirm whether Major Stephen Coleman, former Chief Executive of the JSPCA, left his role voluntarily.

Circumstances surrounding that "leave" have been shrouded in secrecy ever since. In recent months, Express has approached various JSPCA committee members, and Mr Coleman himself, in order to clarify the position, but no further information was provided. Staff at the Animals' Shelter were only able to say he was "on leave."

Stephen Coleman was in the army, serving in Northern Ireland, Africa, South America, the Falklands and Cyprus. He was also an Officer Commanding the Jersey Field Squadron.

He became Chief Executive of the JSPCA Animals' Shelter in 2006, and has presided over numerous charity projects, including a controversial large-scale dog kennels project in St Mary. Plans were later withdrawn following concerns from parishioners.