How child abuse victims shone a light on a dark and scary world

Police Scotland would eventually pursue more than 1,000 lines of inquiry in what was one of the largest prosecutions of a child abuse ring in Scotland.

The complex investigation – known as Operation Woodwhite – unearthed graphic accounts of attempted murder, violence, sexual assault and rape dating back to 2012.

Seven drug users – Iain Owens, 45; Elaine Lannery, 39; Lesley Williams, 42; Paul Brannan, 41; Scott Forbes, 50; Barry Watson, 47, and John Clark, 49 – were found guilty of sexually abusing the three children.

The victims were all under the age of 13 at the time.

During the nine-week trial in 2023, the jury at the High Court in Glasgow heard evidence of “rape nights”. Some of the attacks were filmed and money changed hands among the gang.

Detectives said the levels of depravity were “extremely rare” and that the victims suffered “unimaginable abuse”.

The three children had been known to the authorities since July 2018, when they were added to Glasgow City Council’s child protection register.

But it would be almost two years later before the full horror of their existence became clear.