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Norfolk child sex abuse case: Marie Black guilty Norfolk child sex abuse case: Marie Black guilty
(35 minutes later)
A woman has been found guilty of the sexual abuse of children.A woman has been found guilty of the sexual abuse of children.
Marie Black, 34, of Norwich, stood trial with nine others, including five women, at Norwich Crown Court.Marie Black, 34, of Norwich, stood trial with nine others, including five women, at Norwich Crown Court.
She was said to be at the centre of abuse and denied 26 charges. A jury has convicted her of all but three counts.She was said to be at the centre of abuse and denied 26 charges. A jury has convicted her of all but three counts.
She was found guilty of offences including rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Two men were found guilty of child sex abuse charges and a woman of assault.She was found guilty of offences including rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Two men were found guilty of child sex abuse charges and a woman of assault.
Michael Rogers, 53, from Romford, was found guilty of 14 counts including cruelty, rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.Michael Rogers, 53, from Romford, was found guilty of 14 counts including cruelty, rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Jason Adams, 43, from Norwich, was found guilty of 13 similar counts.Jason Adams, 43, from Norwich, was found guilty of 13 similar counts.
Carol Stadler, 59, from Norwich, was found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm but cleared of nine other charges, including serious sexual assaults.Carol Stadler, 59, from Norwich, was found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm but cleared of nine other charges, including serious sexual assaults.
They are due to be sentenced later.
Six other defendants, Anthony Stadler, 63, Nicola Collins, 36, Andrew Collins, 52, Judith Fuller, 32, Denise Barnes, 34, and Kathleen Adams, 84, all from Norwich, were cleared of all charges.Six other defendants, Anthony Stadler, 63, Nicola Collins, 36, Andrew Collins, 52, Judith Fuller, 32, Denise Barnes, 34, and Kathleen Adams, 84, all from Norwich, were cleared of all charges.
Black sobbed uncontrollably in the dock as the verdicts were delivered.Black sobbed uncontrollably in the dock as the verdicts were delivered.
Abused at partiesAbused at parties
Opening the trial, prosecutor Angela Rafferty QC said Black, previously known as Marie Adams, played an instrumental role in using the five children as "sexual playthings".Opening the trial, prosecutor Angela Rafferty QC said Black, previously known as Marie Adams, played an instrumental role in using the five children as "sexual playthings".
The abuse, which is said to have happened in and around Norwich and London, included forcing the children to have sex with one another.The abuse, which is said to have happened in and around Norwich and London, included forcing the children to have sex with one another.
On some occasions, the adults threw parties and played card games to decide who would abuse which child, Mrs Rafferty said.On some occasions, the adults threw parties and played card games to decide who would abuse which child, Mrs Rafferty said.
In interviews the victims described how they were abused in front of one another and other adults.In interviews the victims described how they were abused in front of one another and other adults.
Some of the abuse involved children's toys, including Barbie dolls.Some of the abuse involved children's toys, including Barbie dolls.
All of the defendants denied abusing the children, saying it simply did not happen.All of the defendants denied abusing the children, saying it simply did not happen.
During the trial it emerged police had launched an investigation into the conduct of Norfolk County Council social workers involved in the case.
The court heard that the trial had originally been due to start last year only to be delayed when prosecutors raised concerns over changes made by social workers to statements taken from the children.
This resulted in Norfolk Police launching an investigation into alleged misconduct.
Sarah Elliott QC, representing Black, told the court that at the time the county's children's services department had recently failed an Ofsted inspection, being ranked "inadequate" in all areas.