U.K News
UK Court Sentences 7 Child Sexual Abusers to Life in Prison
Seven individuals involved in one of Scotland’s largest child abuse networks have received life-long sentences, with warnings they may never be released, according to a BBC report.
Three children, all under the age of 13, endured severe sexual abuse and violence over seven years at a Glasgow drug den referred to as “the beastie house.” The abuse ranged from rape and attempted murder to physical assault, which authorities described as “unimaginable.”
The convicted individuals include Iain Owens, 46; Elaine Lannery, 40; Lesley Williams, 43; Paul Brannan, 42; Scott Forbes, 51; Barry Watson, 48; and John Clark, 49. They received sentences ranging from eight to 20 years, along with Orders for Lifelong Restriction (OLRs).
These orders ensure the offenders will remain in prison or under supervision for the rest of their lives, a measure reserved for the gravest non-homicide cases in Scotland.
Addressing the group, Criminal Court Judge Lord Beckett stated they might never be released, noting the cumulative prison terms exceeded 93 years. He remarked that the court had encountered many severe cases, but the level of cruelty inflicted on these children was unprecedented.
He referred to the abuse as rare and beyond typical criminal behaviour.
Criminal Court Judge Lord Beckett
Lord Beckett commended the resilience and bravery of the children, who stood up against threats from Owens to provide evidence. He acknowledged the victim impact statements, highlighting one child’s deeply moving account of her abuse and the suffering endured by others.
Despite the trauma, the judge noted the child’s words reflected a sense of humanity and strength.
The abuse involved two girls and a boy, subjected to repeated acts of violence and sexual assault between 2012 and 2019. During the trial, it was revealed the gang orchestrated events they called “rape nights” and “dance and sex nights” in a filthy Glasgow flat frequented by drug users.
One girl, still in diapers at the time, was raped, locked in a cupboard filled with spiders, and forced to eat dog food. She also endured being confined in an oven and a refrigerator. Two older children were similarly subjected to physical and sexual violence.
The perpetrators regularly used Class A drugs in the children’s presence and coerced them into consuming alcohol and drugs. Social services first became involved in August 2017 and classified the children as at risk by July 2018, yet the gravity of the abuse only came to light in March 2020. A man who befriended the children alerted police after one of them became hysterical, mistakenly believing she had been locked in a room. He and his wife documented the children’s accounts, which led to the gang’s arrest.
During the trial, it was disclosed that Owens, Lannery, Williams, Watson, Clark, and Forbes had prior criminal records, though none for sexual offences. All denied the charges, yet a jury found them guilty in November 2023 after a two-month trial at Glasgow’s High Court. Some members, including Owens, Lannery, Brannan, and Williams, were also convicted of attempted murder.
While charges related to seances and alleged witchcraft were dropped, the sentencing was delayed due to pending risk assessments required for imposing lifelong restriction orders. Owens received a minimum of 20 years before parole eligibility, Lannery 17 years, Brannan 15 years, and Williams 14 years. Clark was sentenced to at least 10 years, Watson to nine and a half years, and Forbes to eight years.
