Child sexual abuse expert 'astonished' victims of Glasgow sex abuse ring weren't saved sooner

The First Minister has said lessons will be learned from a comprehensive review into the neglect and abuse of four children in a squalid Glasgow drug den.

Seven paedophiles were convicted of a string of horrific sexual crimes following a nine-week trial at the city’s High Court.

Iain Owens, 45, Elaine Lannery, 39, Lesley Williams, 41, Paul Brannan, 41, Barry Watson, 47, Scott Forbes, 50 and John Clark, 46, were found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

The charges against them included making children perform sex acts on each other, serious sexual assault, rape and neglect.

An eighth accused, Marianne Gallagher, was found guilty of assault.

It was revealed in court that there had been concerns about the children for several years before action was taken.

A child sexual abuse expert has told STV News she is “astonished” the children were not taken into care quicker.

Throughout the trial, the jury heard from multiple witnesses who had concerns about the children.

Neighbours said they’d seen them begging while support workers spoke of having access to the youngsters blocked or limited.

Teachers told the court of lice infestations, poor hygiene and rotten teeth.

The abuse took place in Glasgow. STV News

Child protection expert Dr Sarah Nelson said there are major questions to be answered about how and why these children were left in the hands of their abusers – despite so many concerns being raised.

“I’m astonished really,” Dr Nelson, who was awarded an OBE for her work on behalf of survivors of childhood sexual abuse, told STV News.

“I think we have to look further back than the sexual abuse and say that it’s absolutely remarkable to me that children showing such dramatic signs of neglect, teachers being incredibly alarmed about it, were left in that environment for so many years.

“Ordinary people, and professionals, want to know why on earth this wasn’t spotted much sooner when it was in plain sight.”

A major review is under way – with the police, education and social care bodies all taking part.

Part of that review will look at the huge amount of information collected during the investigation.

“Any lessons that should be learned absolutely have to be learned,” said First Minister Humza Yousaf.

“I’m certainly going to be asking for further details from our partners in Glasgow Health and Social Care and other partners.”