Seven men who preyed on a baby and young children have been jailed for what a judge described as 'terrifying depravity'. Judge Julian Lambert, passing sentence at Bristol Crown Court, said the gang's actions were 'beyond human instinct' and made some feel 'physically sick'. The sentences range from two to 24 years.
The group, from across England, raped and assaulted three children—a baby, a toddler, and a young child—between 2013 and 2014. They streamed attacks live online, encouraging each other, and shared advice on drugging victims. The court heard they groomed families, targeting a pregnant woman to abuse her baby after birth.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) led the investigation, which began when defendant Adam Toms dialled 999 in September 2014 and admitted abusing a child under five. NCA officer Ian Glover called them 'by far the worst paedophile group I have ever investigated', treating children 'as a commodity'.
Robin Hollyson, 31, received 24 years for filming the abuse of a baby. Christopher Knight, 35, was jailed for 18 years; Matthew Stansfield, 35, for 14; Adam Toms, 33, for 12; John Denham, 50, for eight; Matthew Lisk, 32, for four; and David Harsley, 51, for two. All but Harsley were placed on the sex offenders register for life.
The investigation identified three victims but protected 21 other children found at risk. Over 200 intelligence packages have been sent to forces, mostly overseas, with further convictions expected. NSPCC's John Brown warned the trauma may manifest in later life, urging ongoing support for the children and families.
