Glasgow child sex abuse gang given life sentences

4 hours ago

BBC Scotland News

The seven members of one of Scotland’s biggest child sex abuse rings have been given life-long sentences and warned that they may never be released.

Three victims under the age of 13 were subjected to horrific sexual abuse and violence in a Glasgow drug den dubbed “the beastie house” over a seven-year period.

Police said the children had suffered “unimaginable abuse”, with the offences including rape, attempted murder and assault.

Iain Owens, 46; Elaine Lannery, 40; Lesley Williams, 43; Paul Brannan, 42; Scott Forbes, 51; Barry Watson, 48, and John Clark, 49, were jailed for between eight and 20 years and handed orders for lifelong restriction (OLRs).

These orders are reserved for the most serious court cases in Scotland which do not involve murder, and mean the individual will either be in prison or on parole for the rest of their life.

How victims shone a light on ‘beastie house’ child abuse ring

Judge Lord Beckett told the gang, whose jail sentences totalled more than 93 years, that they may never be released from prison.

He said: “This court is used to hearing the worst examples of human behaviour but such depravity towards young children is beyond my experience.

“This is not typical behaviour and such extreme abuse of children seems to be rare.”

He praised the “formidable strength” of the children and their “courage and perseverance”, despite threats from Owens.

Lord Beckett added: “It is possible to imagine from their desperate darkness, their carers have brought some light to their young lives – a home, a structure and nurture over a number of years.”The judge, Lord Beckett, praised the bravery of the children in giving evidence that helped bring their abusers to justice

The judge also highlighted the victim impact statements and said one child wrote with “agonising articulacy” about her ordeal and the suffering of the other children.

He added: “In stark contrast to what was inflicted on her, and its impact, an impression of innate humanity shines through her words.”

Two girls and a boy were violently and sexually assaulted on multiple occasions between 2012 and 2019.

The trial heard that the gang would hold “rape nights” and “dance and sex nights” in a squalid flat in Glasgow that was frequented by drug users.

A girl was raped by members of the gang while she was still young enough to wear a nappy.

She described the flat as the “dark and scary beastie house” because she had been locked in a cupboard with a box that was full of spiders.

The girl was also shut in an oven and a fridge and was forced to eat dog food.

An older boy and girl were also subjected to savage beatings and sexual violence.

Members of the gang also used Class A drugs in front of the children and caused them to consume alcohol and drugs.

The trial heard that the children first came into contact with social work in Glasgow in August 2017 and were deemed to be at risk in July 2018.

But the allegations of violence and sexual abuse did not come to light until March 2020.