‘Abhorrent and cruel!' 21 people convicted in major Black Country child sex abuse investigation

The defendants were arrested for offences relating to seven children aged under 12 in Walsall and Wolverhampton spanning nearly a decade.

Of the 21 offenders involved, 13 have so far been jailed at Wolverhampton Crown Court with four others due to be sentenced at a later date. All but one of them pleaded guilty to the charges.

The sex ring came to light after a hospital visit by one of the victims raised concerns which led to a subsequent inquiry.

At the end of the final trial on Wednesday, Judge Simon Ward told three defendants found guilty by the jury: "Expect to be given long sentences."

All three were immediately remanded into custody.

A fourth defendant was cleared of any wrongdoing by the jury on Wednesday.

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. 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.”

The case can now be reported because the final of three consecutive trials has been completed.

Senior Investigating Officer Joanne Floyd has spent six years working on this case. She 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.”

Joanne Jakymec, 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.”

“The CPS and West Midlands Police worked very closely together for six years, painstakingly reviewing a huge amount of evidence and disclosure to ensure that the offenders were brought to justice in a series of three trials because of the sheer number of defendants.

“We would like to thank all of the victims and the witnesses for their bravery in coming forward and giving evidence with support of the CPS and West Midlands Police. Without their support it would not have been possible for the prosecution team to convict this large network of child abusers.

“We call for all incidents of child sexual abuse to be reported to the police and we will prosecute where there is sufficient evidence to do so and offer support for victims of this abuse.”

Sally Hodges, Independent chair of Walsall Safeguarding Partnership said: “The courage and bravery of these children and young people in coming forward should be commended and our collective thoughts are very much with them on their journey of rebuilding their lives. 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.”

Full list of those convicted:

• James Evans, 38, Eyland Grove, Walsall, jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years and the court also issued him a sexual harm prevention order for life

• David Baker, 41, Park Avenue, Walsall, jailed for 20 years with a further year on licence, given a restraining order and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order

• Mark Smith, 34, Bloxwich Road, Walsall, jailed for 19 years with a further six years on licence and given a sexual harm prevention order for 30 years

• Natalie Wellington, 44, Walsingham Street, Walsall, jailed for 16 years with a further year on licence, given an indefinite restraining order and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order

• Tracy Baker, 41, Park Avenue, Walsall, jailed for 15 years with a further year on licence. She was also issued with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order

• Kirsty Webb, 36, Bloxwich Road, Walsall, jailed for 10 years and given a sexual harm prevention order for 30 years

• Phillip Wellington, 50, Walsingham Street, Walsall, jailed for eight years with a further year on licence, given an indefinite restraining order and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order

• Ann Clare, 43, Saw Mill Close, Walsall, jailed for eight years with a further three on licence and given a sexual harm prevention order for 30 years

• Pamela Howells, 58, Saw Mill Close, Walsall, jailed for seven years and given a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years

• Lee Webb, 40, Whitmore Street, Palfrey, Walsall, jailed for six years and given a sexual harm prevention order for 30 years

• David Evans, 72, Adshed Road, Redcar, Cleveland, jailed for three-and-a-half years and he was also issued with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order

• Jason Evans, 25, Walsingham Street, Walsall, jailed for two years and six months and given a sexual harm prevention order that will run for 15 years

• Luke Baker, 22, Park Avenue, Walsall, jailed for two years and four months, given an indefinite restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years

• Stephen Webb, 65, given an absolute discharge by the court because of health conditions but he was instructed to be listed as a sex offender for five years

• Dean Webb, 35, received a two year supervision order and was told he must notify as a sex offender for five years. The court also gave him a sexual harm prevention order to run over 40 years

• Jane Evans, 71, given a two year supervision order and indefinite sexual harm prevention order

• Ryan Evans, 23, given a community order for three years with supervision and sex offender work, a tagged curfew for 28 days and a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years

• Natasha Webb, 37, to be sentenced at a future date

• Matthew Evans, 32, Howard Road, Bilston, to be sentenced at a future date

• John Griffiths, 66, Abbotts Street, Bloxwich, to be sentenced at a future date

• Violet Griffiths, 66, Abbotts Street, Bloxwich, to be sentenced at a future date

• Tina Jones, 62, of Springfields, Rushall, was found not guilty