Cannock Chase paedophile ring files go to prosecutors

Staffordshire Police also confirmed a man in his 60s arrested on suspicion of rape and conspiracy to rape in connection with the case remains on police bail.

It comes following claims made by 33-year-old Esther Baker who broke her silence a year ago.

Ms Baker chose to waive her right to anonymity when speaking exclusively to the Express & Star last May, claiming she had been systematically abused at the Staffordshire beauty spot by a politician, while police officers stood guard and sometimes took part.

Today she said she was 'reassured' progress was being made in the case.

An investigation into her claims is now underway by detectives.

Ms Baker said: "Staffordshire Police have been very good to me. They have been in regular contact.

"It has passed the test to go to the CPS which are just getting involved now. I'm reassured it has gone to them because it was obviously a big hurdle.

"It is in their hands now I have just got to wait and see which I seem to be doing a lot of."

Ms Baker, who was growing up in Lichfield at the time of her alleged abuse but now lives in Liverpool working as the manager at a bookmakers, said she did not regret coming forward but has since been the victim of 'trolling' on Twitter including receiving threats from people who may have been involved in the paedophile ring.

"I feel better, it has been slightly chaotic but my general life is better it is all out in the open now," Ms Baker added.

"I have had quite a few trolls on Twitter which has been a bit of a nightmare. It is hard to say at the moment (if it is from potential suspects) but there is an ongoing investigation into some trolling activity on Twitter that may be linked to some of the people involved."

She said her local force Merseyside Police was investigating those claims. Meanwhile Ms Baker is working towards setting up a community interest company, similar to a charity, which will campaign for things such as sterner sentences for convicted paedophiles and abolishing a time limit for when child victims can report abuse.

Since breaking her silence the former pupil of Hydesville Tower School, in Walsall, said she was aware of other victims who have come forward but was not certain if they had made official complaints to police.

Commenting on the progress of the investigation a year on Superintendent Carl Ratcliffe from Staffordshire Police said: "Following a great deal of sensitive work by a small team of detectives a report in relation to the allegations of sexual assault made by Esther Baker last year will now be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service. This is a normal process for an investigation of this nature and we will continue to keep Ms Baker informed."

The CPS confirmed they had already received the file.

Ms Baker also claimed a peer and a judge may have been involved in her abuse. A former MP was interviewed under caution last year but the force could not state the statuses of other people they have spoken to in connection with the investigation.

A spokesman added: "It is the policy of Staffordshire Police never to confirm in any way the identity or any other personal details of those subject to any investigation until charge. Ms Baker waved her right to anonymity in this case. Staffordshire Police would like to reassure victims alleging any sexual offence that their anonymity is protected by law and would not be disclosed.

"A man in his 60's has been arrested and released on bail as part of this investigation, detectives have also questioned a number of potential witnesses. As is normal in an investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences for the force to undertake a number of reviews of the case file and then submit the case file to the CPS for review and decision."