Six members of one of Scotland's largest child sex abuse rings are to appeal against their convictions. Three victims under the age of the 13 were subjected to a horrific campaign of sexual abuse and violence at a squalid flat known as "the beastie house" in Glasgow over a seven-year period.
Paul Brannan, John Clark, Elaine Lannery, Iain Owens, Barry Watson and Lesley Williams were told they may never be released when they were convicted alongside Scott Forbes in January last year. However, Judge Lord Matthews said the Court of Criminal Appeal will hear an appeal against the convictions and sentences of the six in October.
Warning: This article contains details readers may find upsetting
All seven members of the gang were handed orders for lifelong restriction (OLRs) following a two-month long trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Owens, 47, was jailed for at least 20 years before he could apply for parole, Lannery, 42, for 17 years, Brannan, 44, for 15 years and Williams, 47, for 14 years.
Clark, 50, was sentenced to a minimum term of 10 years before he could apply for release, while Watson, 50, was given nine years and six months and Forbes, 53, eight years.
Once they have served their sentence, it is up to the parole board to decide whether they can be released. Only a fraction of those who have received these sentences have ever been freed.
The appeal will be heard on 21 and 22 October.
What did the court hear about the "beastie house"?
During the trial, the court heard two girls and a boy were violently and sexually assaulted on multiple occasions between 2012 and 2019. The gang would hold "rape nights" and "dance and sex nights" at the flat, which was frequented by drug users.
One girl was raped by members of the gang while she was still young enough to be wearing a nappy. At the trial, she described the flat as the "dark and scary beastie house" because she had been locked in a cupboard that was full of spiders.
dark and scary beastie house
rape nights
dance and sex nights
She also told the court she was shut in an oven and a fridge and was forced to eat dog food. An older boy and girl were also subjected to savage beatings and sexual violence.
Members of the gang also used Class A drugs in front of the children and caused them to consume alcohol and drugs.
During sentencing, judge Lord Beckett said the gang of had carries out acts of "depravity" and "extreme abuse".
What happens next?
The Court of Criminal Appeal will hear the convictions and sentences appeal for the six in October, with the hearing set for 21 and 22 October.
Once they have served their sentence, it is up to the parole board to decide whether they can be released.
Only a fraction of those who have received these sentences have ever been freed.
Key Facts
- Six members of a child sex abuse gang are appealing convictions and life sentences.
- The appeal will be heard on 21 and 22 October.
- Three victims under 13 were abused at a Glasgow flat known as "the beastie house" between 2012 and 2019.
- All seven gang members were given orders for lifelong restriction after a two-month trial in Glasgow.
