Members of one of Scotland’s largest paedophile gangs – who ran a “monstrous” child sex abuse ring in a Glasgow drugs den – have each been sentenced to an order for lifelong restriction.
Warning: This story contains graphic content and details of sexual abuse
An order for lifelong restriction (OLR) is a life-long sentence usually reserved for the most serious court cases in Scotland that do not involve murder.
During a two-month trial, a court heard how three children were introduced to a world of Class A drugs and alcohol where they were regularly exposed to sexual abuse and violence.
A jury heard how there had been “rape nights” at the hands of the heroin addicts.
The youngsters, who referred to the location of their abuse as the “beastie house”, claimed money was exchanged after the heinous sex attacks while some of the attackers laughed.
Judge Lord Beckett described the trial at the High Court in Glasgow in 2023 as “unpleasant and shocking”.
He added: “It plunges to the depths of human depravity.”
Seven people – Iain Owens, Elaine Lannery, Lesley Williams, Paul Brannan, Scott Forbes, Barry Watson, and John Clark – were all found guilty of rape and sexual assault.
Owens, Lannery, Williams and Brannan were also found guilty of attempting to murder a child by trapping them in various places including a microwave and a cupboard.
In addition, Owens, Williams and Brannan were convicted of drugs offences.
All seven were handed an OLR and placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely when they appeared back in the dock on Monday.
Owens was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years behind bars; Lannery 17 years; Williams 14 years; Brannan 15 years; Forbes eight years; Watson nine-and-a-half years; and Clark 10 years.
If ever paroled from jail following the “punishment part” of their sentence, they will be subject to risk management for the rest of their life.
If they go on to commit another crime once released back into the community, they will face being recalled back to prison.
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‘You may never be released’
Sentencing them, Lord Beckett warned: “What you – and the community – should understand is that you may never be released.”
The judge added: “This court is used to hearing about some of the worst examples of human behaviour but such depravity as you displayed against young children is beyond my experience.
“As was said in the aftermath of the trial, this is not typical behaviour. Such extreme abuse of children seems to be rare.
“In contrast to your awful abuse, the trial also heard evidence demonstrating the best of human qualities.
“[The] children showed extraordinary fortitude, strength and stamina undergoing months and years of interviews as investigators struggled to discover and comprehend the full extent of what you had done to them.”
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November 2023: Victims faced ‘unimaginable abuse’
‘No remorse’
An eighth person, Marianne Gallagher, was convicted of assault but was cleared of all other charges.
The 40-year-old, who hit and kicked a child, had her sentence deferred for a year for good behaviour and was released on bail.
Returning to the dock earlier in January 2025, it was noted by Lord Beckett that Gallagher had shown “no remorse”.
The judge told Gallagher, who gave birth to a son last year and continues to struggle with addiction: “If you offend further, you will find yourself in pretty severe trouble.”
A further three people – Mark Carr, Richard Gachagan, and Leona Laing – were acquitted by the jury.
Marianne Gallagher leaving the High Court in Glasgow last year. Pic: PA
‘Off the scale devious’ argument dismissed
The offences, involving the children, happened between 2012 and 2019.
Defence lawyers had argued the children may not have been telling the truth, but prosecutors said it would be “off the scale devious” to make up crimes of the “most monstrous kind”.
Charges related to causing the children to take part in seances and witchcraft were dropped by the prosecution, and all 11 of those who stood trial were acquitted of killing dogs.
Following the gang’s conviction in November 2023, the NSPCC’s development director Matt Forde told Sky News it was a “truly shocking” case.
Mr Forde added: “You can only imagine the terror and miserable existence that these children had.”
Police Scotland said more than 1,000 lines of inquiry were progressed by the investigation team.
Detective Inspector Lesley-Ann McGee said: “I hope today’s outcome can help the young victims in moving forward.
“This was a long, complex and challenging investigation for a team of officers and staff who had to work through the most harrowing evidence to bring those responsible for these despicable crimes to justice.”
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The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) commended the bravery of the young victims.
Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s procurator fiscal for high court sexual offences, added: “Their strength has resulted in the conviction and sentence of their abusers for these heinous crimes.
“Prosecuting this case has been complex and a challenging task for our experienced prosecutors.
“Consideration of the trauma these children suffered was utmost while working to secure these convictions.”
Colin Anderson, independent chair of Glasgow’s Child Protection Committee, said he has initiated the process of undertaking a case learning review.
The overall purpose of a learning review is to improve and develop systems to better protect children and young people.
