Paedophile gang facing life in prison
A GANG of paedophiles, who raped and abused babies and children for web broadcasts to other members of their ring across the world, faced sentences of up to life in jail yesterday.
Officers investigating the seven British men had described their crimes as the most “vile and depraved” they had seen.
The gang sexually attacked their young victims, who were believed to have been drugged, then showed the depraved film via the internet to members as far away as Australia.
They even tried to groom pregnant women in order to find new victims, Bristol Crown Court was told.
Police found three victims, a baby, a toddler, and a boy under five, while 21 are under “safeguarding” measures. But there are victims still to be identified in the thousands of depraved images officers found.
The case can be reported fully after yesterday’s conviction of John Denham, 49, and Matthew Stansfield, 34. Five co- conspirators: Robin Hollyson, 39, Christopher Knight, 35, Adam Toms, 33, David Harsley, 51, and Matthew Lisk, 32, admitted child sex charges at an earlier hearing.
They will be sentenced later for more than 30 offences, including rape of a child, conspiracy to rape a child, and administering a substance with intent.
Graham Gardner at the National Crime Agency said: “The depravity of these men is as vile as we’ve seen.”
AGANG of paedophiles responsible for horrifying crimes against babies and children under five has been uncovered after one of them confessed to police. Such a tip- off is often the sort of break the police need.
But we cannot always rely on a piece of good fortune.
No effort should be spared when it comes to finding those engaged in such awful abuse. This ring was operating on a wide scale and its members were able to carry out their sick actions with worrying ease.
It begs the question as to how many others are engaged in similar abuse and collusion.
In this instance the perpetrators were caught, convicted and must be given lengthy jail terms. The police and courts should do all they can to ensure the same fate befalls every abuser.