Twenty-one people have been convicted of serious sexual offending against children in Walsall in the largest child sexual abuse investigation conducted by West Midlands police.
The investigation uncovered what was described as ‘the most appalling catalogue of sexual abuse‘ – sexual offences in the Walsall area against seven children aged 12 and under, spanning almost a decade.
The case can only now be reported due to the conclusion of the third and final trial in 15 months of legal proceedings involving the defendants.
Eight women are among 21 members of a child sex ring who have been convicted over the ‘abhorrent and cruel’ abuse of children who were no older than 12.
The gang subjected seven victims to horrific abuse spanning more than a decade in Wolverhampton and Walsall.
Matthew Evans, 32, John Griffiths, 66, and Violet Griffiths, 66, were found guilty of multiple child sexual abuse offences at Wolverhampton crown court on Wednesday, and will be sentenced on 12 May. One more defendant was found not guilty.
Their conviction follows that of Tracey Baker, 41, David Baker, 41, Luke Baker, 22, David Evans, 72, Philip Wellington, 50, Natalie Wellington, 44, Jason Evans, 25, and Ryan Evans, 23, who were found guilty of multiple child sexual abuse related offences on 2 February after the second trial.
On 27 May 2022, after the conclusion of the first trial, James Evans, 38, Pamela Howells, 58, Lee Webb, 40, Kirsty Webb, 36, Mark Smith, 34, and Ann Marie Clare, 43, were convicted of multiple child sexual abuse-related offences.
Stephen Webb, 65, Dean Webb, 35, and Jane Evans, 71, were found not fit to plead and the jury decided they had committed the acts alleged.
West Midlands police said their investigation, named Operation Satchel, began in 2017 when the offending first came to light.
Officers worked with social services to safeguard the children who reported the abuse and uncover what had happened to them.
The longest sentence was given to James Evans, who was found guilty of 20 child sexual abuse related offences and jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years, as well as being given a sexual harm prevention order for life.
Other defendants received jail terms ranging from two years to 20 years, and all were given sexual harm prevention orders of varying length.
Natasha Webb, 37, pleaded guilty before trial and is due to be sentenced at a later date.
Detectives investigating the case described it as one of the most difficult and complex they had ever worked on.
Head of the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Drover, said: ‘This has been a challenging and complex investigation, and the biggest of its kind I have known for the force.
‘But at the heart of it has been seven children who suffered the most abhorrent and cruel abuse, not just physically but psychologically, leaving them in extreme trauma.
‘Their welfare has been at the heart of this investigation and support for them will continue for many years to come.
The convictions come after the home secretary, Suella Braverman, said ‘almost all’ members of grooming gangs were British Pakistani men who held attitudes incompatible with British values.
Responding to the Walsall case in light of her comments, Craig Guildford, the chief constable of West Midlands police, said: ‘It is important to remain open-minded about who can commit these offences.
‘They know no social or religious boundaries and it is important to remind the public and professionals to report their concerns to the police, regardless.
Jakymec said the CPS and West Midlands police conducted 70 suspect interviews and worked together for six years to review the evidence needed to bring the case to court.
It was split into three trials because of the large number of offenders.
