'Beyond evil’ paedophile gang who raped babies and toddlers are jailed for 78 years

The seven men aged between 31 and 51 appeared before Bristol Crown Court
to be sentenced

A gang of paedophiles who raped babies, toddlers and pre-school children and streamed the abuse over the internet have been jailed for 78 years.

The seven man ring, aged between 31 and 51, preyed on the families of the children they targeted, in one case grooming a mother and father before their baby was born.

They travelled across the country to carry out vile attacks together in groups, or used internet streaming so they could be 'encouraged and directed' in real-time by other paedophiles.

The seven - including three convicted sex offenders - were convicted of 29 child sex abuse offences, including conspiracy to rape and the multiple rape of a child aged under 13.

They are John Denham, 50, from Wiltshire, Matthew Stansfield, 35, from Hampshire, Adam Toms, 33, from Somerset, Christopher Knight, 35, from Manchester, Robin Hollyson, 31, from Bedfordshire, David Harsley, 51, from Yorkshire, and Matthew Lisk, 33, from Sussex.

Passing sentence at Bristol Crown Court, Judge Julian Lambert said: 'In the worst nightmare, from the very deepest recesses of the mind, at the darkest hour of the night, few can have imagined the terrifying depravity which you men admit.

'What you contemplated and what you did involved the most horrific abuse of a baby and very young children.

'Your thoughts and deeds are beyond human instinct and reason, and are evil beyond rational understanding.

'You men indulged yourselves in some of the most depraved and grossly deviant behaviour imaginable. The depth to which you sank is astounding and highly shocking to all decent people.

'What you did is contrary to all nature and humanity and you each appear to have a chilling tendency to centre the world on yourselves and your depraved desires without regard for the innocent and vulnerable.

'Your conduct is of deep concern to the public and people are outraged at what you have done. What you did provokes tears in many and makes others feel physically sick.

'Given the strength of public feeling I consider that retribution has a very large part to play in the sentencing exercise. This is no case for treatment and rehabilitation outside prison.'   (more...)

'Beyond evil’ paedophile gang who raped babies and toddlers are jailed for 78 years