Eight people in Glasgow child abuse ring to be sentenced
A trial at the High Court in Glasgow, which lasted for months, heard evidence of systematic child sex abuse, described as "harrowing".
Eight people convicted of being part of a child abuse ring in the North of Glasgow are due to be sentenced later.
Iain Owens, 45; Elaine Lannery, 39; Lesley Williams, 42; Paul Brannan, 41; Scott Forbes, 50; Barry Watson, 47; and John Clark, 46, were all convicted of a string of sex crimes towards children including rape and sexual abuse in a Glasgow drug den where heroin and crack cocaine were used.
Four of the group - Owens, Lannery, Brannan and Williams - were found guilty of attempting to murder a child by pushing her into a microwave and trapping her in other places.
An eighth person - Marianne Gallagher, 38 - was found guilty of assaulting a child and was granted bail.
A trial at the High Court in Glasgow, which lasted for months, heard evidence of systematic child sex abuse, described as "harrowing" by judge Lord Beckett.
Three of those on trial - Mark Carr, 49, Richard Gachagan, 46, and Leona Laing, 51 - were acquitted of all charges.
Speaking after the conviction, Detective Superintendent Nicola Kilbane said: “This has been a horrific ordeal for the young victims who were subjected to years of unimaginable abuse.
"Our thoughts are with them today and I hope this outcome can help them in moving forward.
“The levels of depravity shown in this case are extremely rare in Scotland and the courage of the victims was essential in securing this conviction.
“This was a long, complex and challenging investigation for a team of officers and staff who had to work through the most harrowing evidence to bring those responsible for these despicable crimes to justice.
“We remain committed to supporting victims of sexual crime and protecting children from harm and abuse.
"We will use all available resources to find and arrest the abusers, no matter how much time has passed.
"I would urge anyone who is a victim of abuse to speak to police in the knowledge you will be listened to, taken seriously and fully supported."
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