The victims of a horrific child sex abuse ring were failed by the authorities, the Scottish Government has admitted.
Seven people were given lifelong sentences on Monday after three children suffered what a judge described as “unimaginable abuse”.
Iain Owens, 45; Elaine Lannery, 39; Lesley Williams, 41; Paul Brannan, 41; Scott Forbes, 50; Barry Watson, 47; and John Clark, 47 were all handed lifelong restriction orders and jailed for a total of 93 years.
They were all convicted of crimes of “extraordinary depravity” in a drugs den in Glasgow – known as the “beastie house” – where heroin and crack cocaine were used.
The trial heard evidence of systematic child sex abuse, described as “harrowing” by Lord Beckett who said it “plunges to the depths of human depravity”.
“These children were on the child protection register… were known to agencies with a duty of care to protect them… were chronically absent from school… and showed blatant signs of neglect, yet they were failed”
Ash Regan, Alba MSP
Four of the group, Owens, Lannery, Brannan and Williams, were found guilty of attempting to murder a child by pushing her into a microwave and trapping her in other places.
All seven were found guilty of taking part in the gang rape of a child.
Owens and Lannery were also convicted of multiple counts of assault, sexual assault and causing a child to ingest drugs and alcohol.
STV NewsIn the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, Alba MSP Ash Regan said it “reeked of institutional failures”.
“These children were on the child protection register, yet they were failed,” Regan said.
“These children were known to agencies with a duty of care to protect them, yet they were failed.
“These children were chronically absent from school, yet they were failed. And these children showed blatant signs of neglect, yet they were failed.
“The Scottish Government has presided over this catastrophic failure at every single level.”
She asked children’s minister Natalie Don if the children of Scotland were safe.
“I am a mother myself,” Don said.
“This case absolutely horrifies me. And there is no getting away from the fact that these children were failed.
“The details in this case are horrific, but I understand that the case review that is taking place will be there to learn lessons and to ensure that safeguarding is bolstered going forward in Scotland.”
All seven members of the abuse ring had strict Order for Lifelong Restriction orders imposed on them, as well as a jail term known as a “punishment part” that they must serve before parole. But they may never be released.
Colin Anderson, independent chair of Glasgow’s child protection committee, said: “This has been a highly complex and challenging case for all concerned.
“As Independent Chair of Glasgow’s Child Protection Committee I have already initiated the process of undertaking a Case Learning Review.
“This is being led by an independent reviewer to ensure strong governance and oversight. It would be inappropriate to comment further until the Case Learning Review is complete.”
What were the sentences handed out?
- Owens – lifelong restriction order imposed, with the punishment part set at 20 years.
- Lannery – lifelong restriction order imposed, with a punishment part set at 17 years.
- Williams – lifelong restriction order imposed, with the punishment part set at 14 years.
- Brannan – lifelong restriction imposed, with a final punishment part set at 15 years.
- Forbes – lifelong restriction order imposed, with the punishment part set at eight years.
- Watson – lifelong restriction imposed, with a punishment part of nine years and six months.
- Clark – lifelong restriction order imposed, with the punishment part set at ten years.
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