4 convicted after horrific Cov child sex abuse case

FOUR members of a Coventry family have been convicted of child abuse over a period of more than 30 years in what a police officer investigating the case described as “one of the worst cases of systematic and horrifying child sexual abuse” she had ever seen.

The offences ranged from neglect to sexual assault and rape of children aged between two and 15.

The convictions came at the end of an eightweek trial at Birmingham Crown Court and took place after two other family members and a close friend pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

Antony Potts, 49, of Milverton Road, Wood End, was found guilty of 13 counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and nine counts of inciting a child to perform a sexual act and cruelty - all against children.

Nathan Potts, 26, of Burnaby Road was convicted of two counts of rape of a child, four counts of sexual assault, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sex with another adult.

Keith Potts, 67, and Julie Potts, 60, both of Burnaby Road, were both found guilty of two counts of cruelty to a child.

Three further defendants pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

Joanne Hoye, 42, of no fixed address, admitted neglect, as did Elaine Potts, 50, of Milverton Road.

Joshua Potts, 26, of Burnaby Road, admitted multiple counts of rape and sexual assault against children.

The first person reported her six-year ordeal at the hands of Antony Potts to police in 1989, but the case was never brought to trial.

That original investigation was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission two years ago, who deemed the failure of the case resulting in charges to be ‘poor policing’.

In May 2015 three more individuals, all under the age of 14, disclosed that they had been abused by Antony Potts and others to a third party, who reported the allegations to police, but in July of that year it was deemed there was insufficient evidence to bring charges against the perpetrators.

Following exploration of facts and the testimony of a fifth person, the case was re-opened in January 2016 and the full extent of the abuse began to unfold, resulting in three further cases being identified.

After months of care- ful investigation and support from partner organisations including Coventry Children’s Services, the Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC) and the independent intermediaries appointed to support the child survivors, the defendants were brought to trial.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Rachel Gregory, from West Midlands Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “This is one of the worst cases of systematic and horrifying child sexual abuse that I have ever seen and I am pleased that the jury have found the defendants guilty.

“The investigation was complex and a lot of time and care has been spent with the survivors in helping them to find the courage to talk about what happened to them and to ensure we could present the best possible evidence to the court, but also to make sure that their welfare was the primary consideration.”

Two 17-year-old boys also on trial were found not guilty.

A 52-year-old woman on trial for aiding and abetting sexual offences resulted in a hung jury.

This will be referred back to the Crown Prosecution Service for a decision on whether she will be re-tried.

Detective Chief Inspector Jo Floyd, the senior investigating officer, added: “All the children have been safeguarded and are receiving ongoing support to help them come to terms with their abuse. I would urge anyone who has suffered any type of sexual abuse either currently or historically to get in touch with us.

“It is never too late for us to investigate this type of crime and we are determined to bring perpetrators to justice. Our officers are highly trained specialists in this field who work with a number of agencies and can offer support through the criminal process.”

A Serious Case Review to scrutinise the safeguarding procedures for the children involved and what lessons can be learned is under way by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

A date is yet to be set for sentencing.

Adults can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, while Childline is there for young people on 0800 1111 or www. childline.org.uk.