Seven members of a criminal gang in Glasgow have been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted for their involvement in the abuse of three children over a seven-year period.
The children, all under 13, suffered severe physical and emotional harm at the hands of the gang in a drug-ridden flat known as the “beastie house.”
The abuse involved repeated violence, including attempted murder, and left the children traumatised.
The convicted individuals, aged between 40 and 51, received sentences ranging from 8 to 20 years, along with lifelong restriction orders (OLRs). These orders mean that the offenders will remain either in prison or under strict parole conditions for the rest of their lives.
The abuse took place between 2012 and 2019, but the full extent of the crimes was not revealed until 2020, when a man and his wife helped gather evidence from the children, who were finally able to speak out.
The gang, despite having criminal records, had no prior history of offences involving children. After a two-month trial, the gang members were found guilty in November 2023.
The children had been involved with social services since 2017, but it wasn’t until 2020 that the full scale of their ordeal became clear.
In court, the victims bravely described how they were subjected to cruel treatment, including being locked in small spaces, made to eat unappetising food, and forced to endure physical beatings.
Judge Lord Beckett condemned the evidence as deeply disturbing, commending the children for their courage in testifying.
The lifelong restriction orders ensure that the offenders will not be released unless deemed safe, providing an extra layer of protection for the community.
