One of Britain's worst ever child sex abuse gangs have now been jailed for a total of 190 years.
A total of 21 people were convicted of horrific sexual offences in the largest child sex ring ever investigated by West Midlands Police. The paedophile gang subjected seven young victims - aged under 12 - to 'abhorrent and cruel' abuse spanning more than a decade, a court heard.
Eight women were among the monsters who 'systematically sexually abused' the children in Wolverhampton and Walsall. Their depraved offending was uncovered when a hospital visit by one victim sparked concerns leading to the largest child sex abuse case investigated by England's second biggest police force.
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Three trials took place over the course of 15 months and the final trial concluded on April 5 where three defendants were found guilty. Yesterday (June 2), the gang's final four members were sentenced.
Natasha Webb, 37, was the only member of the gang to plead guilty and was jailed for nine years at Wolverhampton Crown Court. She admitted conspiracy to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence, five counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity, two counts of child cruelty and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13.
Matthew Evans, 32, was sentenced alongside her after being found guilty of conspiracy to cause or incite children under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity and rape of a child under 13. He was jailed for 17-and-a-half years with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and an indefinite restraining order.
John Griffiths, 66, was convicted of causing or inciting children under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity and rape of a child under 13. He was also caged for 17-and-a-half years with a 20 year SHPO and an indefinite restraining order.
Violet Griffiths, 66, was found guilty of causing or inciting children under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity and causing a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity. She was jailed for 15 years with a 20 year SHPO and an indefinite restraining order.
The total number of custodial years for these horrific offences is now a staggering 190. Joanne Jakymec, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS, said: "The final four defendants have been sentenced today in what has been the largest ever child sexual abuse investigation and prosecution in the West Midlands.
"The 21 offenders convicted in Operation Satchel perpetrated the most abhorrent catalogue of systematic sexual abuse on seven children. The scale, depravity and deeply disturbing nature of which is unlike anything I have seen during my time working for the CPS and has shocked everyone who has been involved in bringing them to justice.
"The cruel abuse which they inflicted on the victims for years has caused them physical and extreme psychological harm, leaving them traumatised. I would like to thank and commend all of the victims and the witnesses for their bravery in coming forward and giving evidence - it is their courage which enabled us to bring this case to court and see justice served.
"This has been a complex and challenging case which, due to the sheer number of defendants involved, required us to prepare for and present evidence in three separate trials which took place over a period of 18 months to successfully secure this outcome. With the exception of one defendant, who admitted what they had done, none of the rest have shown the slightest remorse.
"I would also like to thank the West Midlands Police investigation team who worked with the CPS over five years painstakingly reviewing a huge amount of evidence to ensure that this large network of child sexual abusers was prosecuted and convicted.
"All children have the right to feel safe and protected. We hope the outcome of this case will encourage anyone who may be in a similar position to come forward to report these incidents to the police, knowing we will do all we can to prosecute where there is sufficient evidence to do so and offer support for victims.”
Jurors were told how the sex ring came to light in 2017 leading to 70 suspects being interviewed. Officers worked with Social Services to safeguard the children and then uncover what had happened to them at the hands of both their male and female abusers.
Detectives investigating the case described it as one of the most difficult and complex they had ever worked on following the conclusion of the final trial. Head of the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Drover said: "This has been a challenging and complex investigation, and the biggest of its kind I have known for the force.
"But at the heart of it has been seven children who suffered the most abhorrent and cruel abuse, not just physically but psychologically, leaving them in extreme trauma. Their welfare has been at the heart of this investigation and support for them will continue for many years to come.
"I commend their bravery in being able to tell us about their abuse."
Senior Investigating Officer Joanne Floyd, of West Midlands Police, has spent six years working on the case. She said: “Our hearts go out to the victims.
"From a personal perspective I want to stress how difficult this journey has been and how much courage these young people have shown. It’s a particularly sad case and no-one has been left unaffected, whether directly involved or working as a professional. It will remain with us."
Sally Hodges, Independent chair of Walsall Safeguarding Partnership said: "The courage and bravery of these children and young people in coming forward should be commended and our collective thoughts are very much with them on their journey of rebuilding their lives."
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