It’s a world full of monsters, like the Potts family of UK
ONCE in a while, the world is shocked with some extreme cases of sexual abuse and one of the biggest of them unfolded in England for over 30 years.
Four years ago, a judge sentenced members of the Potts family to lengthy jail terms for carrying out a string of sickening sex attacks on children.
Other members of the family admitted or were convicted of neglect or child cruelty.
The 49-year-old Antony Potts was described as a “deeply depraved man” as he was jailed for life at Birmingham Crown Court.
He was convicted of 13 counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and nine counts of inciting a child to perform a sexual act and cruelty.
Antony was joined in the dock by his dad Keith Potts, who was caged for eight years, alongside his wife Julie, both for child cruelty.
Antony Potts’ wife Elaine and family friend Joanne Hoye, were also both jailed for four years after pleading guilty to neglect.
Antony Potts’ brother Joshua Potts, 25, was jailed for 16 years after admitting multiple counts of rape and sexual assault against children.
Their brother Nathan, 26, was convicted two counts of rape of a child, four counts of sexual assault, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sex with an adult relative.
Jailing Antony Potts, Judge Carr told him: “You are a deeply depraved man who has taken many, many opportunities to abuse children and corrupt them.
“These are horrendous offences. In 50 years’ practice and presiding over cases like this, I cannot think of a worse one.”
The court heard how the sickening abuse first came to light in 1989 when a girl came forward and told cops what Antony had done to her.
But, the case was never brought to trial and in May 2015, three more children - all aged under 14 - said they had been abused by Antony and others and the police were called.
It was decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges but the case was reopened in January 2016 when a fifth victim came forward.
The full extent of the abuse began to unravel and a further three victims were identified meaning the vile family could be brought to trial.
Jurors were read emotional victim impact statements giving harrowing details of how the victims were “groomed and brainwashed” by their abusers.
One said the abuse had a “major impact” on her life and she felt she was “let down as a child” by the police, CPS and social services.
She also said she has suffered from “constant and daily panic attacks”, has post-traumatic stress disorder and has “reduced self-worth”.
Another victim said: “I want Antony to go to prison all his life so he can’t hurt anyone else.”
Investigating officer Det Sgt Rachel Gregory, from the force’s public protection unit, said: “This is one of the worst cases of systematic and horrifying child sexual abuse that I have ever seen.
“The investigation was complex and a lot of time and care was 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.
“I hope that the sentences handed to the defendants goes some way to help them rebuild their lives.” -