Norwich sexual abuse ring

In 2010, police received a report of a child sex abuse ring in Norwich, England.[1] The recurring crimes spanned 10 years[2] and all victims, two boys and three girls, were younger than 13.[3] The perpetrators organized sex parties where adults played card games to decide who would abuse which child.[2] Three member of the gang received significant prison sentences, including ringleader Marie Black, who was jailed for life.[4] Black's sentence made her "one of the UK's most notorious paedophiles."[5]

Abuse

The sexual abuse was committed for ten years in Norwich and London[2] and ended in 2010 when an initial report was made to police and the children were "safeguarded".[6] The children were abused so often that they thought it was "normal" and "that everybody did it". Detective Chief Inspector Peter Hornby said the abuse was "beyond most people's imagination". All victims were younger than 13.[3]

Operation Moccason

The first report of child sexual abuse in Norwich by Marie Black's gang was made to police in 2010.[1] Police responded by "safeguarding" the children, preventing any further abuse.[6] In December 2012, more evidence was given to the police and Operation Moccason was launched. In 2013, police began making arrests. In 2014, police charged 10 suspects with a total of 101 offences.[1]

In 2015, the 10 suspects went on trial.[7] Of the 10, four were convicted and the three ringleaders – Marie Black, Jason Adams and Michael Rogers – received long prison sentences.[4]

Following the trial, Detective Chief Inspector Pete Hornby said the "complicated and protracted" investigation took 28 months. By July 2015, Operation Moccason had involved seven investigators and thousands of documents. 76 statements and 176 exhibits had been used as evidence and many more had been gathered.

Detective Hornby said the operation exposed "a sickening glimpse into sex abuse on a large scale" and investigations were ongoing.[6]

Sentences

Marie Black, Jason Adams, Michael Rogers and Carol Stadler were sentenced on 28 September 2015.

Judge Nicholas Coleman said the defendants are "utterly depraved" and that their crimes defied belief.[8]

Perpetrator Conviction(s) Sentence
Marie Black Rape of a child, conspiracy to rape, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity Life imprisonment - minimum 24 years[1][9]
Michael Rogers Rape, cruelty, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity 24 years[1]
Jason Adams Rape, cruelty, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity 24 years[1]
Carol Stadler Assault occasioning actual bodily harm Six months[10][4]

Marie Black, who organised the child abuse gatherings, was given a life sentence and must serve at least 24 years.[4] She was tried for 26 offences and found guilty of 23 including rape of a child, conspiracy to rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.[8] Detective Constable Kim Taylor described Black as "cold and calculated".[3] In November 2015, Black lodged an appeal against her conviction and life sentence.[3] This was refused by a single judge in February 2016. She appealed a second time in April 2016.[8] Her second appeal was also refused in May 2016, this time by three judges at the Court of Appeal Criminal Division.[11]

Michael Rogers of Romford in London and Jason Adams of Norwich[4] were both jailed for 24 years and must serve at least 16 years. They had 14 and 13 convictions respectively, included rape, cruelty and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.[10]

Carol Stadler from Norwich was jailed for six months for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.[4]

References
  1. Cunningham, Christine (27 July 2015). ""The most harrowing case I have dealt with in 23 years of policing"- officer in charge of child sex case speaks out". Norwich Evening News. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  2. "Norwich woman who used children as sex 'toys' jailed for life". The Guardian. Press Association. 28 September 2015. Archived from the original on 19 February 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  3. Walsh, Peter (27 November 2015). "Convicted Norwich child sex abuser set to appeal conviction and sentence". Norwich Evening News. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  4. "Norwich child sex ring jailed for more than 70 years". ITV News. 28 September 2015. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-34377382
  6. Walsh, Peter (28 July 2015). "Investigations into child sexual abuse in Norfolk are ongoing, police chief reveals". Norwich Evening News. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  7. "Norfolk paedophile ring 'most harrowing' child abuse case ever". ITV News. 27 July 2015. Archived from the original on 31 August 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  8. Walsh, Peter (26 April 2016). "Norwich child sex abuser Marie Black tries to get life prison sentence overturned". Norwich Evening News. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  9. Walsh, Peter. "Norwich child sex abuser Marie Black tries to get life prison sentence overturned". Norwich Evening News.
  10. Dean, Lewis (28 September 2015). "Norwich paedophile abuse: Sadomasochistic women led child sex ring". International Business Times UK. Archived from the original on 19 November 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  11. Walsh, Peter (13 May 2016). "Top judges refuse Marie Black's bid to appeal child abuse sentence". Norwich Evening News. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
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