ELANE LANNERY AND GANG SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEX ABUSE IN GLASGOW

A disturbing case of child sexual abuse involving a notorious gang operating in Glasgow has culminated in the sentencing of several individuals to lengthy prison terms. The group, which exploited a drug den known locally as "the beasty home," subjected at least three children under the age of 13 to unimaginable acts of violence and sexual assault over a span of seven years.

Among those convicted was Elaine Lannery, aged 40, whose involvement in the heinous crimes was confirmed during a two-month trial held at Glasgow's High Court. Despite her persistent denial of the allegations, the jury found her guilty in November 2023. Alongside her, other gang members including Lesley Williams, Paul Brannan, Scott Forbes, Barry Watson, John Clark, and Iain Owens faced justice, with sentences ranging from eight to twenty years in prison. All of the convicted individuals were also subjected to lifelong restriction orders, prohibiting them from contact with minors or engaging in activities that could endanger children.

The gang's activities were carried out in a series of linked apartments within Glasgow, locations that had become notorious for their association with drug use and criminal behavior. These premises served as venues for what the court described as "rape nights" and "dance and sex nights," where drug-affected individuals, often addicts, would gather. The abuse inflicted upon the children was particularly brutal; one young girl, who was so small she wore nappies, recounted her traumatic experiences. She described her ordeal as being trapped in a dark, sinister place she called "a creepy beast house," where she was confined in a closet filled with boxes of spiders. Her suffering was compounded by being locked inside an oven and refrigerator, and being forced to eat dog food as a form of abuse.

The abuse was not limited to the youngest victims. Older boys and girls were also subjected to sexual violence, with the gang members encouraging children to use Class A drugs, further entrenching their control and exploitation. The court heard that the abuse was systematic and pervasive, with the gang members actively grooming and manipulating their young victims.

Sentencing reflected the severity of the crimes. Owens received a minimum term of 20 years before parole eligibility, while Lannery was sentenced to at least 17 years. Brannan was given a minimum of 15 years, and Williams received 14 years. Clark was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years, Watson to nine years and six months, and Forbes to eight years. The sentences underscore the gravity of the offenses and the court's commitment to ensuring justice for the victims of this appalling case in Glasgow.