Sentencing for some of those convicted in UK child sex abuse case has sparked fury online as critics branded the punishments ‘ridiculous’ while calling for much tougher sanctions

Victims were subjected ‘systematic sexual abuse’ for almost a decade in Walsall, in the UK’s West Midlands

After the biggest investigation of its kind in West Midlands Police’s history, a total of 21 people have been convicted, including eight women 

13 of the 21 persons convicted have now been sentenced to a total of 145 years at Wolverhampton Crown Court

Detectives said their ‘depraved catalogue of abuse’ means the seven victims will require support ‘for years to come’ resulting from the ‘extreme trauma’

Public reaction is that some of the sentences pale in comparison to the duration and scope of abuse inflicted on child victims

Members of the British public have mixed reactions to jail sentences just handed to offenders in what has been termed as the British West Midlands largest child sex offense case.
In three separate trials, the rapists and sex offenders convicted for their role in one of Britain’s biggest ever child sex rings have been handed what critics called ‘lenient jail terms’, despite helping subject children to ‘abhorrent and cruel’ abuse for more than a decade.

Ann Marie Clare, 43, [left], was sentenced to eight years while Tracey Baker, 41, [right], was handed a 15-year sentence with a further year of probation. During the trial a court heard how the children were subjected ‘systematic sexual abuse’

Eight female predators were among a group of 21 pedophiles to be convicted yesterday after targeting children as young as 12 across Walsall.
Detectives said their ‘depraved catalogue of abuse’ means the seven victims will require support ‘for years to come’ after being left with ‘extreme trauma’.
But some of the sentences handed out pale in comparison to the number of years children were abused for, sparking fury online as critics branded the punishments ‘ridiculous’ while calling for much tougher sanctions.
One defendant, Pamela Howells, 58, who was found guilty of three child sexual abuse related offenses, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment. Another defendant Ann Marie Clare, 43, was handed just eight years for four such offenses.
The group’s offending was only uncovered when a hospital visit by one victim sparked concerns, leading West Midlands Police to uncover its largest ever child sex abuse case.

Ann Marie Clare seen, [photo], outside the Birmingham Magistrates court where she appeared charged with child sex offenses, June 22, 2020. She was this week sentenced to eight years in prison

During the pedophile ring prosecution, which has been conducted in three separate trials due to the sheer number of defendants, a court heard how the children were subjected ‘systematic sexual abuse’.
Of the 21 offenders involved, 13 have so far been jailed for sentences totaling 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.

Dean Webb and Ann Clare outside court in June 2020. They were both convicted of child sex offenses this week. Clare was handed an eight-year prison sentence, while Webb, found not fit to plead, received 2 years of court ordered supervision

Jurors were told how the sex ring came to light in 2017 leading to 70 suspects being interviewed.
Police investigators worked with Social Services to safeguard the children and then uncover the scope of abuse inflicted on the victims by both their male and female abusers.
At the conclusion of the final trial, detectives investigating the case described it as one of the most difficult and complex series of crimes they had ever worked on

Violet Griffiths, 66, [left], has been found guilty of two counts of child sex abuse is due to be sentenced at a later date. Pamela Howells, 58, [right], was sentenced to seven years in prison

Kirsty Webb, 36, [left], was sentenced to 10 years in prison and Natalie Wellington, 44, [right], was sentenced to 17 years

Natasha Webb, 37, gave evidence for the Crown in trials 1 and 2. Sentencing is scheduled for the conclusion of trial 3 on May 12

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.

Pamela Howells [photo], 58, was found guilty of counts three of child sexual abuse and sentenced to seven years in prison

‘I commend their bravery in being able to tell us about their abuse.
‘I am grateful to everyone who worked so hard to get justice for them, and the jurors who had to listen to such a catalogue of depravity to reach their verdict.
‘We have improved the way we work in the Public Protection Unit over recent years putting victims at the heart of our investigations, and this case has given us valuable learning to keep improving.
‘I hope that this conviction 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.
‘We have specialist officers who are trained to help and we work with many partners and charities who can offer support.’

David Baker, 41, [left], was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while James Evans, 38, [right], was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years 

He continued to say that a report into what had taken place, and understanding how it happened, as well as any ‘lessons to be learned’ was being coordinated by Walsall Safeguarding Children’s Board.
This is expected to be published in due course, with Mr Drover adding: ‘They are looking at what occurred, and over how long.’
CPS chief crown prosecutor, Joanne Jakymec, 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.’
She praised the ‘bravery’ of victims and witnesses, adding ‘without their support it would not have been possible for the prosecution team to convict this large network of child abusers’.

Philip Wellington, 50, [left], was sentenced to eight years. Mark Smith, 34, [right], was handed a 25-year extended sentence with 19 years in prison 

Due to the Covid pandemic, the trial process was delayed, the senior police officer added. 
Officers conducted more than 70 suspect interviews in their quest to bring the offenders to justice.
Mr Drover praised the victims, some of whom are now adults, for coming forward and allowing the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
He said that they had suffered ‘shocking and abhorrent’ abuse, adding: ‘They have been through a significant amount of trauma.
‘It has had a significant and ongoing impact on their physical and mental well being’.
The police officer continued: ‘To get the confidence to come forward and talk to care professionals, to police is huge.
‘I am genuinely thankful, and also to the juries involved in this.

Luke Baker, 22, [left], was sentenced to two years and four months in prison. John Griffiths, 66, [right], is due to be sentenced on May 12 after being found guilty of two child sexual abuse related offenses

‘The safeguarding of children is at the forefront of police, of health workers, of school teachers, this to me is a perfect example of how we work together to bring a significant case to the stage where… offenders will be found guilty of significant offenses and receive up to life terms in prison.
‘This is an ask from me, for those subject to sexual harm to have the confidence to come forward, talk to teachers, nurses and doctors, police officers, tell us what is going on.
‘We spent several years on this investigation, and we continued to run this until we got to the conclusion we have seen.
‘So I am hoping this gives some confidence (to those victims) out there to come forward to talk to professionals.’

David Evans, 72, [left], was sentenced to three-and-a-half years, and Jason Evans, 25, [right], was handed a two-and-a-half year prison sentence

‘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.’
And Senior Investigating Officer Joanne Floyd, who spent six years working on this case, said that the team endured a ‘difficult’ journey in exposing the pedophile gang.
Ms Floyd said: ‘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.’

Matthew Evans, 32, [left], has been found guilty of two counts of child sex abuse. He will be sentenced on May 12. Lee Webb, 40, [right], will spend six years in prison

Joanne Jakymec, CPS 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.’
She praised the ‘bravery’ of victims and witnesses, adding ‘without their support it would not have been possible for the prosecution team to convict this large network of child abusers’.
And Sally Hodges, Independent chair of Walsall Safeguarding Partnership praised the victims on their ‘courage and bravery’ in coming forward, saying that they ‘should be be commended and our collective thoughts are very much with them on their journey of rebuilding their lives.’
She continued to say: ‘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.’
Sentenced after Trial 1 and Trial 2
James Evans, 38, guilty of 20 counts of child sex abuse, life in prison, with minimum term of 18 years.
Kirsty Webb, 36, guilty of 5 counts of child sex abuse, 10 years in prison
Mark Smith, 34, guilty of 4 counts of child sex abuse, 19 years in prison
Pamela Howells, 58, guilty of 3 counts of child sex abuse, 7 years in prison
Lee Webb, 40, guilty of 3 counts of child sex abuse, 6 years in prison
Ann Marie Clare, 43, guilty of 4 counts of child sex abuse, 8 years in prison
Dean Webb, 35, found not fit to plead, jury decided he committed acts alleged, 2 years court ordered supervision
Stephen Webb, 65, found not fit to plead, jury decided he committed acts alleged, discharged
Tracey Baker, 41, guilty of 5 counts of child sex abuse, 16 years in prison
David Baker, 41, guilty of 7 counts of child sex abuse, 21 years in prison
Luke Baker, 22, guilty of 2 counts of child sex abuse, 2 years and 4 months in prison
David Evans, 72, guilty of 2 counts of child sex abuse, 3 years 6 months in prison
Jane Evans, 71, found not fit to plead, jury decided she committed acts alleged, sentenced to court orderd supervision
Philip Wellington, 50, guilty of 3 counts of child sex abuse, 9 years in prison
Natalie Wellington, 44, guilty of 4 counts of child sex abuse, 17 years in prison
Jason Evans, 25, guilty of 3 counts of child sex abuse, 2 years and 6 months in prison
Ryan Evans, 23, guilty of 1 count of child sex abuse,sentenced to 3 years of community service
Awaiting sentencing 
Of the 21, four are yet to be sentenced until May 12:
Matthew Evans, 32, who has been found guilty of 2 child sexual abuse related offenses
John Griffiths, 66, guilty of 2 child sexual abuse related offenses
Violet Griffiths, 66, convicted on 2 child sexual abuse related offenses.
Natasha Webb, 37, who gave evidence for the Crown in trials 1, 2 and 3 is scheduled for sentencing at the conclusion of trial 3 on May 12.