Inside probe that brought down one of UK’s worst-ever child sex ring and saw 8 women arrested over abuse of 7 kids
A POLICE probe into one of the UK's worst-ever child sex rings saw eight women arrested over the abuse of seven kids.
A gang of 21 paedophiles carried out their horrific campaign on children as young as 12 for over a decade.
Sparking the biggest child sex abuse investigation ever by West Midlands Police, it took over five years to bring down the twisted group.
Eight of those involved in the "abhorrent and cruel" abuse, which was happening across Walsall and Wolverhampton, were women.
Their reign of terror was only uncovered after one victim went to hospital with a suspicious injury.
Cops managed to intercept the group in 2017 which saw three trials take place at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
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The court heard how a shocking 70 suspects were interviewed after the group's presence came to light.
And how just one of the 21 paedophiles admitted to what they had done - with the rest showing not the "slightest remorse"; for their barbaric offences.
The trials, which were delayed due to Covid, ended this month.
It saw 13 people jailed for a total of 145 years.
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Joanne Jakymec, CPS chief crown prosecutor, said the harm caused by the gang was "appalling".
She said: "The offenders in this case perpetrated the most appalling catalogue of sexual abuse of the utmost gravity, causing the victims physical harm and extreme psychological harm.
"With the exception of one of the offenders who admitted what they had done, none of the rest have shown the slightest remorse."
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.
Head of the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Drover of West Midlands Police told how a large team helped expose "systematic abuse that has to be some of the most shocking I have seen in my career".
He explained: "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."
Mr Drover praised the victims, some of whom are now adults, for coming forward and allowing the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
He added: "They have been through a significant amount of trauma. It has had a significant and ongoing impact on their physical and mental wellbeing."
Senior Investigating Officer Joanne Floyd, who spent six years working on this case, said her team found the whole process extremely "difficult".
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.
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"It will remain with us."
These are the faces of seven of the eight sick women involved with a list of all those convicted underneath.
Kirsty Webb, 36
Found guilty of five child sexual abuse related offences and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) will be in place for 30 years. Indefinite Restraining Order imposed in respect of the victims.
Natalie Wellington, 44
Found guilty of four child sexual abuse related offences and was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment (including extra year extended licence). Restraining Order and SHPO granted indefinitely.
Tracey Baker, 41
Found guilty of five child sexual abuse related offences and sentenced to 16 years. A SHPO and Restraining Order is in place in relation to all of the complainants. Both orders to last until further order. Indefinite Restraining Order imposed in respect of the victims.
Natasha Webb, 37
Gave evidence for the Crown in trials 1, 2 and 3. She is due to be sentenced at the conclusion of trial three.
Ann Marie Clare, 43
Found guilty of four child sexual abuse related offences and sentenced to eight years imprisonment with an extended licence period of three years (total of 11 years). SHPO for 30 years. Indefinite Restraining Order imposed in respect of the victims. Notification requirement for life.
Pamela Howells, 58
Found guilty of three child sexual abuse related offences and sentenced to seven years imprisonment. SHPO for 15 years. Indefinite Restraining Order imposed in respect of the victims. Notification requirement for life.
Violet Griffiths, 66
Found guilty of two child sexual abuse related offences.
Jane Evans, 71
Found unfit to plea but a jury decided she committed the acts alleged. She was sentenced to a supervision order and a SHPO.
PURE EVIL
Those convicted in the trials were:
- James Evans, 38, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) after being found guilty of 20 child sex offences
- Kirsty Webb, 36, who was jailed for 10 years, given an indefinite restraining order in respect of the victims and a 30-year SHPO after being found guilty of five child sex offences
- Mark Smith, 34, jailed for 19 years with an extended licence period of six years, making a total of 25 years, for four child sex offences. He was also handed an SHPO for 30 years and an indefinite restraining order in respect of the victims
- Pamela Howells, 58, was jailed for seven years for three child sex offences and was also handed an SHPO for 15 years and an indefinite restraining order
- Lee Webb, 40, was found guilty of three child sex offences and was jailed for six years with a 30-year SHPO and an indefinite restraining order
- Ann Marie Clare, 43, was jailed for eight years for four child sex offences, with an extended licence period of three years for 11 years in total. She was also handed an SHPO for 30 years and an indefinite restraining order
- Dean Webb, 35, was found not fit to plea but a jury decided he had committed the acts alleged. He was given a two-year supervision order and a 40-year SHPO
- Stephen Webb, 65, was also found not fit to plea but the jury decided he had committed the acts alleged. He was given an absolute discharge for health reasons
- Natasha Webb, 37, is due to be sentenced at a later date. She gave evidence for the Crown at all three trials
- Tracey Baker, 41, was found guilty of five child sex abuse offences and sentenced to 16 years in prison and given an SHPO and a restraining order, both until further notice
- David Baker, 41, was found guilty of seven child sex offences and sentenced to 21 years imprisonment including one year on licence, as well as an indefinite SHPO and an indefinite restraining order
- Luke Baker, 22, was jailed for two years and four months for two child sex offences and was also handed a restraining order until further notice and a 15-year SHPO
- David Evans, 72, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for two offences and given indefinite restraining and SHPO orders
- Jane Evans, 71, was found unfit to plea but a jury decided she committed the acts alleged. She was sentenced to a supervision order and a SHPO
- Philip Wellington, 50, was found guilty of three child sex offences and jailed for nine years and given an SHPO and a restraining order, both to last until further order
- Natalie Wellington, 44, was convicted of four child sex offences and jailed for 17 years including an extra year on extended licence, alongside an indefinite restraining order and indefinite SHPO
- Jason Evans, 25, was found guilty of three offences and sentenced to two years and six months, a restraining order until further notice and a 15-year SHPO
- Ryan Evans, 23, was found guilty of one child sex offence and sentenced to a three-year community order, a restraining order and a 15-year SHPO
- Matthew Evans, 32, will be sentenced in May after being found guilty of two child sex offences
- John Griffiths, 66, was found guilty of two child sex offences and will be sentenced in May
- Violet Griffiths, 66, will be sentenced in May after being convicted of two child sex offences.