IAIN OWENS AND GANG FROM GLASGOW FACE LONG SENTENCES IN SCOTLAND'S BIGGEST CHILD ABUSE CASE

In a landmark case that has shocked Scotland, seven individuals, including the convicted sex offender Iain Owens, are currently awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of children in Glasgow. The proceedings, which concluded in November, mark what is believed to be the largest child abuse ring prosecution in Scottish history.

Judge Lord Beckett, presiding over the case, previously issued a stern warning about the severity of the punishments that could be handed down, emphasizing the 'very substantial' jail terms that await those convicted of such 'extraordinary depravity.' As part of the sentencing process, the court has ordered comprehensive risk assessments to be conducted on each of the convicted individuals before any final sentencing decisions are made. The case has been temporarily adjourned until the 5th of April, with the possibility of additional hearings to follow, given the time required to complete the necessary evaluations.

All seven defendants were convicted of multiple counts of sexual abuse, including rape. Among them, Owens, along with Lannery, Brannan, and Williams, was also found guilty of attempting to murder a child by pushing her into a microwave and subsequently trapping her in various locations. These acts of violence and abuse highlight the extreme nature of the crimes committed.

Additionally, Marianne Gallagher, a woman involved in the case, was convicted of assaulting a young girl. Her sentence has been deferred for a year on the grounds of good behavior, and she has been released on bail pending further proceedings. Meanwhile, three other individuals—Mark Carr, aged 50; Richard Gachagan, aged 45; and Leona Laing, aged 51—were acquitted by the jury, meaning they will not face charges related to this case.

The trial, held at the High Court in Glasgow, revealed disturbing details about the abuse inflicted on two girls and a boy, all under the age of 13 at the time of the incidents. The abuse spanned from 2012 to 2019 and involved repeated violent and sexual assaults. Evidence presented in court indicated that members of the group used Class A drugs openly in front of the children, often forcing them to consume alcohol and drugs as part of their exploitation.

One of the victims, a young girl, recounted her traumatic experience of being raped by members of the gang while she was still young enough to wear a nappy. She described her ordeal as living in a 'dark and scary beastie house,' a term she used to describe the flat where she was held captive. She further revealed that she had been locked in a cupboard filled with spiders, illustrating the terrifying conditions she endured.

Other victims, including an older boy and girl, suffered savage beatings and sexual violence, highlighting the brutal and systematic nature of the abuse carried out by the group. The case has brought to light the depths of depravity involved in this child abuse ring, and the court's upcoming sentencing will determine the length of imprisonment for those found guilty, including Iain Owens, whose actions have been described as particularly egregious.