PAUL BRANNAN AND GANG IN GLASGOW FACE LONG WAIT FOR LIFE SENTENCES IN CHILD ABUSE CASE

In Glasgow, seven individuals convicted of heinous child sexual abuse crimes are now awaiting a decision on whether they will receive life sentences, with a minimum wait of three months before the court delivers its verdict. The group, consisting of five men and two women, was found guilty in November in what is believed to be the most extensive prosecution of a child abuse ring in Scottish history.

Judge Lord Beckett, presiding over the case, previously issued a stern warning about the severity of the punishments that could be imposed, emphasizing the 'very substantial' jail terms that could follow due to the 'extraordinary depravity' demonstrated by the offenders. As part of the sentencing process, the judge has ordered comprehensive risk assessments to be conducted on each convicted individual to better inform the final sentencing decision.

The case has been adjourned until April 5, with the possibility of additional court dates being scheduled later, as the process of completing the necessary reports and evaluations can be time-consuming. All seven defendants were convicted of multiple counts of sexual abuse, including rape. Notably, Paul Brannan, along with Owens, Lannery, 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, demonstrating the extreme brutality involved.

Among those convicted was Marianne Gallagher, a woman who was found guilty of assaulting a young girl. Her sentence has been deferred for a year due to good behavior, and she has been released on bail pending further proceedings. Conversely, three other individuals—Mark Carr, aged 50; Richard Gachagan, aged 45; and Leona Laing, aged 51—were acquitted by the jury and 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 violent and sexual assaults on multiple occasions. The group reportedly used Class A drugs openly in front of the children and forced them to consume alcohol and illegal substances, further traumatizing the victims.

One of the most shocking revelations was that a girl was raped by members of the gang while she was still young enough to wear a nappy. She described her experience as being confined in a 'dark and scary beastie house,' where she was locked in a cupboard filled with spiders. The case also detailed brutal beatings and sexual violence inflicted upon an older boy and girl, highlighting the extent of the cruelty and exploitation carried out by the offenders in Glasgow.