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6th April 2023
11:41am BST
Twenty-one people, including eight women, have been convicted of being part of the largest child sex ring ever investigated by England's second-biggest police force.
The paedophile gang subjected seven victims - aged under 12 - to "abhorrent and cruel" abuse spanning more than a decade in Wolverhampton and Walsall.
Their offending was uncovered when a hospital visit by one victim sparked concerns leading to the largest-ever child sex abuse case investigated by West Midlands Police.
During three separate trials, held due to the sheer number of defendants, a court heard how the kids were subjected "systematic sexual abuse".
Of the 21 offenders involved, 13 have so far been jailed for sentences totalling more than 145 years at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Reporting restrictions were in place until the verdict of the third trial on Wednesday which saw the conviction of three further defendants.
Jurors were told how the sex ring came to light in 2017 leading to 70 suspects being interviewed.
Officers worked with Social Services to safeguard the children and then uncover what had happened to them at the hands of both their male and female abusers.
Detectives investigating the case described the case as one of the most difficult and complex they had ever worked on following the conclusion of the final trial.
Head of the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Drover said: “This has been a challenging and complex investigation, and the biggest of its kind I have known for the force.
“But at the heart of it has been seven children who suffered the most abhorrent and cruel abuse, not just physically but psychologically, leaving them in extreme trauma. "Their welfare has been at the heart of this investigation and support for them will continue for many years to come.
"I commend their bravery in being able to tell us about their abuse."
Drover said he hoped the convictions "shows that we are determined to bring offenders to justice and anyone who has suffered or is still suffering sexual abuse, should not be afraid to tell someone, either to police, a teacher, a doctor or anyone else they feel they can trust."
Senior Investigating Officer Joanne Floyd, of West Midlands Police, spent six years working on the case.
She said after the verdicts: “Our hearts go out to the victims. From a personal perspective, I want to stress how difficult this journey has been and how much courage these young people have shown. "It’s a particularly sad case and no-one has been left unaffected, whether directly involved or working as a professional.
“It will remain with us.”
Joanne Jakymec, Chief Crown Prosecutor said: “The offenders in this case perpetrated the most appalling catalogue of sexual abuse of the utmost gravity causing the victims physical harm and extreme psychological harm.
"With the exception of one of the offenders who admitted what they had done, none of the rest have shown the slightest remorse.
“The CPS and West Midlands Police worked very closely together for six years, painstakingly reviewing a huge amount of evidence and disclosure to ensure that the offenders were brought to justice in a series of three trials because of the sheer number of defendants.
“We would like to thank all of the victims and the witnesses for their bravery in coming forward and giving evidence with support of the CPS and West Midlands Police.
"Without their support it would not have been possible for the prosecution team to convict this large network of child abusers. “We call for all incidents of child sexual abuse to be reported to the police and we will prosecute where there is sufficient evidence to do so and offer support for victims of this abuse.”
Sally Hodges, Independent chair of Walsall Safeguarding Partnership said: “The courage and bravery of these children and young people in coming forward should be commended and our collective thoughts are very much with them on their journey of rebuilding their lives.
"These sad, and frankly horrific, events happened many years ago.
"Local agencies continue to support and care for several children and young people who were affected, and they have provided stability, care and safe homes which has helped the children build trust and be able to confide in professionals.
“This investigation highlights what can be achieved when partner agencies work together. "As a Safeguarding Partnership we always want to learn and develop and we will support all agencies to ensure that we continue to review and strengthen multi-agency arrangements.
"We are committed to protecting children and young people across the Borough.”
The defendants were found guilty of a variety of charges including child sex abuse and child cruelty offences.
They are: James Evans, 38, of Walsall, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years and given a sexual harm prevention order for life.
David Baker, 41, of Walsall, who was jailed for 20 years with a further year on licence, given a restraining order and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Mark Smith, 34, of Walsall, was jailed for 19 years with a further six years on licence and given a sexual harm prevention order for 30 years.
Natalie Wellington, 44, of, Walsall, was jailed for 16 years with a further year on licence, given an indefinite restraining order and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order
Tracy Baker, 41, Walsall, was jailed for 15 years with a further year on licence and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Kirsty Webb, 36, of Walsall, was jailed for 10 years and given a sexual harm prevention order for 30 years.
Phillip Wellington, 50, of Walsall, was jailed for eight years with a further year on licence, given an indefinite restraining order and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Ann Clare, 43, of, Walsall, was jailed for eight years with a further three on licence and given a sexual harm prevention order for 30 years.
Pamela Howells, 58, of Walsall, was jailed for seven years and given a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years.
Lee Webb, 40, of Palfrey, Walsall, was jailed for six years and given a sexual harm prevention order for 30 years.
David Evans, 72, of Redcar, Cleveland, was jailed for three-and-a-half years and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Jason Evans, 25, of Walsall, was jailed for two years and six months and given a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years.
Luke Baker, 22, of, Walsall, was jailed for two years and four months, given an indefinite restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years.
Stephen Webb, 65, was given an absolute discharge due to health conditions and told he must notify as a sex offender for five years.
Dean Webb, 35, received a two year supervision order, must notify as a sex offender for five years and given a sexual harm prevention order for 40 years.
Jane Evans, 71, of Walsall, was handed a two-year supervision order and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Ryan Evans, 23, was given a community order for three years with supervision and sex offender work, a tagged curfew for 28 days and a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years.
Natasha Webb, 37, Matthew Evans, 32, John Griffiths, 66, Violet Griffiths, 66, all of Bloxwich, Walsall, will be sentenced at a later date.
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