Paedophile gang sentenced to 78 years in jail

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.