Anthony Marsh, 53, and Lee Davis, 39, have been sentenced to life in prison at Sheffield Crown Court for a series of sexual offences against teenage boys. Marsh, who is HIV-positive, was told he must serve at least 10 years before parole, while Davis must serve a minimum of 12-and-a-half years.
The pair used social networks such as Facebook and Bebo, along with specialist gay websites, to groom boys as young as 13. They would then meet their victims and sexually abuse them, with Marsh filming the abuse. Police discovered a library of films hidden in Davis's cellar, and Marsh distributed some footage online.
Judge Julian Goose QC described the men as 'predatory, dangerous paedophiles'. Both are married with children. Detective Inspector Delphine Waring of South Yorkshire Police called the case 'one of the most shocking series of sexual crimes committed against young boys' the force has investigated.
Waring condemned Marsh's actions as 'especially deplorable' given his HIV status, stating he showed 'complete disregard for their wellbeing and future health'. She added that the damage inflicted on victims 'will last for many years to come' and urged any further victims to come forward.
