It has been called one of Scotland’s worst case in decades. Between 2012 and 2019, Pedofilligan organized gatherings in drug holes in Glasgow where children of elementary school age were raped and unmistakable.
The victims have testified that before the abuse they were printed in cocaine, heroin and alcohol.
“It is not even possible to imagine the terror these children were exposed to and what sad existence they had,” said Matt Fore, Head of Development at NSPCC, who works with rehabilitation for vulnerable children, to Sky News.
Seven are sentenced to long prison sentences
In November 2023, seven people – Iain Owens, 46, Elaine Lannery, 40, Lesley Williams, 43, Paul Brannan, 42, Scott Forbes, 51, Barry Watson, 48, and John Clark, 49, were sentenced.
On Monday, the penalty came, involving those involved between eight and 20 years in prison for attempted murder and group rape against children.
The judge believed that the crimes bordered on “the deepest of human ruin”.
“A terrible trial for the victims”
In the trial it emerged how the children were tricked into believing that the members, who claimed to be witches and magicians, could turn them into dogs and cats.
In addition, older children must have been forced to abuse younger – while the members looked at and laughed.
On at least one occasion, a child must have been pressed into a microwave.
– It has been a terrible trial for the young victims who for several years were subjected to incredible abuse. Our thoughts are with them today, said criminal inspector Nicola Kilbanene when sentenced in 2023.