The SNP Government has been accused of presiding over “catastrophic failure” after seven members of a child sex ring were locked up for a total of 94 years.
Three victims under the age of 13 were subjected to a catalogue of horrific sexual abuse and violence at a filthy drug den in Townhead, Glasgow, over a seven year period from 2012.
Seven members of the ring were finally sentenced this week for subjecting the youngsters to years of abuse at a hell-hole flat dubbed “the beastie house”.
Alba MSP Ash Regan today claimed the case “reeked of institutional failures” as the three victims were already known to child protection services before police opened an investigation in 2020.
The three children were on the radar of authorities from July 2018 when they were added to Glasgow City Council’s child protection register.
One was a girl who was said to run wild in her community in the north of Glasgow. She was described as gaunt and the worst case of head lice an expert had seen in her 30-year career.
The children had already been placed on the child protection register and were the subject of regular social services meetings – especially after an allegation of physical abuse was made in June 2019.
The seven members of the ring – all drug-addicts – were convicted following a nine-week trial in 2023.
Regan told MSPs: “As a mother, my heart broke listening to the tragic circumstances of abuse suffered by these children. But, of course, the Scottish Government has a duty to safeguard vulnerable children. Yet this case reeks of institutional failures.
“These children were on the Child Protection Register. Yet they were failed. These children were known to agencies with a duty of care to protect them. Yet they were failed. These children were chronically absent from school. Yet they were failed.
“And these children showed blatant signs of neglect. Yet they were failed.
“The Scottish Government has presided over this catastrophic failure at every single level.”
Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children and Young People, said there was “no getting away from the fact these children were failed”.
She added: “Keeping children safe is our upmost priority. The news from yesterday’s trial is horrific, and my thoughts are with the children who have suffered such abhorrent abuse.”
She added: “All of us are understandably shocked when we hear about such terrible crimes, and I welcome the news that independently-led case learning review is underway, in line with national guidance, to ensure child protection in Scotland is as robust as it can be, and that all learning is acted upon.”
Police said the children had suffered “unimaginable abuse”, with the offences including rape, attempted murder and assault.
Iain Owens, 46; Elaine Lannery, 40; Lesley Williams, 43; Paul Brannan, 42; Scott Forbes, 51; Barry Watson, 48, and John Clark, 49, were jailed for between eight and 20 years and handed orders for lifelong restriction (OLRs).
Judge Lord Beckett told the gang, whose jail sentences totalled more than 93 years, that they may never be released from prison.
He said: “This court is used to hearing the worst examples of human behaviour but such depravity towards young children is beyond my experience.”
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