Appeal hearing for six members of Glasgow 'beastie house' paedophile gang to go ahead later this year

Six members of one of Scotland's largest paedophile gangs will aim to persuade appeal judges they were wrongfully convicted later this year.

Iain Owens, 47, Elaine Lannery, 42, Lesley Williams, 47, Paul Brannan, 44, Scott Forbes, 53, Barry Watson, 50, and John Clark, 50, were last year each handed an order for lifelong restriction (OLR) for abusing three children in a Glasgow drug den victims dubbed the "beastie house".

Owens, Lannery, Williams, Brannan, Watson and Clark are appealing both their convictions and sentences.

Judge Lord Matthews told their legal teams on Wednesday that the Court of Criminal Appeal will hear their submissions in October.

During a two-month trial in 2023, the High Court in Glasgow heard how the young victims were introduced to a world of Class A drugs and alcohol where they were regularly exposed to sexual abuse and violence.

A jury heard how there had been "rape nights" at the hands of heroin addicts.

The youngsters claimed money was exchanged after the heinous sex attacks, while some of the attackers laughed.

The offences, involving the children, happened between 2012 and 2019.

The gang were each handed an OLR - a life-long sentence usually reserved for the most serious court cases in Scotland that do not involve murder.

Owens was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years behind bars, while Lannery was sentenced to 17 years, Williams to 14 years, Brannan to 15 years, Forbes to eight years, Watson to nine-and-a-half years, and Clark to 10 years.

Passing sentence, Lord Beckett warned the paedophiles that they may never be released.

He branded the case "unpleasant and shocking", adding: "It plunges to the depths of human depravity."

At Holyrood following the sentencing, Scotland's then children's minister Natalie Don-Innes told MSPs the details in the case were "horrific".

She added: "This case absolutely horrifies me, and there is no getting away from the fact that these children were failed."

The case sparked a major review.

A report published in May highlighted how the children had been failed by authorities despite clear warnings and cries for help over the course of years.

Among the most damning findings was the account of a child trying to stop a professional from leaving.

The report stated she "banged on the windows shouting" at the visitor "not to leave" as they drove away.

On Wednesday, the appeal case called for a procedural hearing before Lord Matthews.

He told the lawyers the case will call on 21 and 22 October, adding: "I will simply continue the matter."

(c) Sky News 2026: Appeal hearing for six members of Glasgow 'beastie house' paedophile gang to go ahead late