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'Inhuman' paedophile ring jailed Paedophile ring jailed for 'terrifying depravity'
(35 minutes later)
Seven paedophiles who preyed on a baby and young children acted "beyond human instinct" and were guilty of "terrifying depravity", a judge said.Seven paedophiles who preyed on a baby and young children acted "beyond human instinct" and were guilty of "terrifying depravity", a judge said.
Sentencing, Judge Julian Lambert said the men had engaged in "the most depraved and grossly deviant behaviour imaginable".Sentencing, Judge Julian Lambert said the men had engaged in "the most depraved and grossly deviant behaviour imaginable".
He said what they had done made some feel "physically sick".He said what they had done made some feel "physically sick".
The men would drive hundreds of miles for a chance to rape or abuse a child and stream attacks via the internet.The men would drive hundreds of miles for a chance to rape or abuse a child and stream attacks via the internet.
Families groomed
The group, who lived at addresses across England, raped and assaulted three children - a baby, a toddler and a young child - between 2013 and 2014.The group, who lived at addresses across England, raped and assaulted three children - a baby, a toddler and a young child - between 2013 and 2014.
Bristol Crown Court heard the men groomed families to get to children, in one case targeting a pregnant woman in order to abuse her baby after its birth.Bristol Crown Court heard the men groomed families to get to children, in one case targeting a pregnant woman in order to abuse her baby after its birth.
They would stream and watch attacks live online, providing encouragement to those carrying out abuse. They also shared advice over online chat logs about how to drug young victims.They would stream and watch attacks live online, providing encouragement to those carrying out abuse. They also shared advice over online chat logs about how to drug young victims.
The judge 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."The judge 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."
He said the depths they sank to were "shocking to all decent people", "provokes tears in many and makes others feel physically sick".He said the depths they sank to were "shocking to all decent people", "provokes tears in many and makes others feel physically sick".
"What you did is contrary to all nature and humanity and you each appear to have a chilling tendency to centre the world on yourselves and your depraved desires without regard for the innocent and vulnerable."
Robin Hollyson, 31, from Bedfordshire, was sentenced to 24 years in prison and a further eight years on licence. He was filmed abusing the baby.Robin Hollyson, 31, from Bedfordshire, was sentenced to 24 years in prison and a further eight years on licence. He was filmed abusing the baby.
All were placed on the sex offenders register for life, except for Harsley. The judge has yet to determine how long he will be on the register for.All were placed on the sex offenders register for life, except for Harsley. The judge has yet to determine how long he will be on the register for.
The National Crime Agency was alerted to the paedophile ring when 33-year-old Adam Toms contacted Avon and Somerset Police in September 2014 to admit he had abused a child. Operation Voicer was launched when it was discovered that he and other suspects were part of a UK-wide network.The National Crime Agency was alerted to the paedophile ring when 33-year-old Adam Toms contacted Avon and Somerset Police in September 2014 to admit he had abused a child. Operation Voicer was launched when it was discovered that he and other suspects were part of a UK-wide network.
Ian Glover, who headed up the National Crime Agency investigation, described them as "by far the worst paedophile group I have ever investigated".Ian Glover, who headed up the National Crime Agency investigation, described them as "by far the worst paedophile group I have ever investigated".
He said they had treated children "as a commodity, to be passed on to others, to be filmed, to be abused and that abuse shown to other paedophiles as a form of currency, so they can get other material back".He said they had treated children "as a commodity, to be passed on to others, to be filmed, to be abused and that abuse shown to other paedophiles as a form of currency, so they can get other material back".
Mr Glover said the most important factor had been protecting the children involved, both in this court case and the wider operation, and as a result more than 200 "packages" - intelligence gathered during the inquiry - had been sent to other forces, mostly overseas . Further convictions are expected in the UK and abroad, he said. Mr Glover said the most important factor had been protecting the children involved, both in this court case and the wider operation, and as a result more than 200 "packages" - intelligence gathered during the inquiry - had been sent to other forces, mostly overseas. Further convictions are expected in the UK and abroad, he said.
The investigation identified three victims but police have put measures in place to protect another 21 children found to be at risk.The investigation identified three victims but police have put measures in place to protect another 21 children found to be at risk.