Sentencing of Glasgow child abuse ring 'bedevilled by delay'

Seven members of a child sex abuse ring may finally be sentenced early in the New Year, a court heard on Monday.

The five men and two women were convicted of the horrific abuse of children in a flat known as the “beastie house”.

Three already vulnerable children, in particular, were subjected to rape, violence and drug taking at the filthy flat in Glasgow.

Iain Owens, 46, Elaine Lannery, 40, Lesley Williams, 43, Paul Brannan, 42, Scott Forbes, 51, Barry Watson, 48, and John Clark, 48, were all convicted following a harrowing nine-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow in November 2023.

Sentencing has been repeatedly adjourned since then as judge Lord Beckett considers whether to impose a form of life sentence known as an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) on each of the gang.

This has involved lengthy and detailed risk assessments to be compiled on them.

It emerged at a hearing on Friday that lawyers for Owens and Forbes are challenging what is stated in the reports for each.

This will mean the two legals teams will call professional witnesses involved in the case to give evidence next month.

Lord Beckett said it is hoped after that is completed all seven will hopefully be sentenced in a case “bedevilled by delay”.

A hearing on whether Forbes and Owens should face lifelong restriction orders is due for January 6. Further expert witnesses are expected to provide evidence in relation to Lannery on January 21.

All seven will return to the dock on January 27 where they may finally learn their fate.

Lord Beckett continued their remand in custody meantime.

Brannan’s lawyer earlier gave some mitigation on behalf of him at the 40-minute hearing.

Tony Lenehan KC, defending, stated: “These are crimes which can be described as being of extreme depravity.”

Mr Lenehan said the question was whether Brannan should be made the subject on OLR or an extended sentence involving a lengthy prison term and him then be supervised for a time on his release.

The court was told the assessment carried out on Brannan concluded that he is a “high risk”.