A member of one of Scotland’s largest paedophile gangs intends to appeal against his conviction and prison sentence.
Warning: This story contains graphic content and details of sexual abuse
Scott Forbes, 51, was one of seven people handed an order for lifelong restriction (OLR) for abusing three children in a Glasgow drugs den dubbed the “beastie house”.
Forbes was jailed for at least eight years for his part in the child sex abuse ring, with the whole group warned they may never be freed.
Had it not been for the OLR, Lord Beckett told Forbes he would have been looking at 19 years behind bars.
During sentencing, the judge said Forbes filmed some of what went on and repeatedly “inflicted exceptionally serious sexual abuse” on a toddler.
Lord Beckett added: “In light of the evidence I heard in the trial, I am not persuaded by the argument that you were somehow swept along by others to do things you would not have done by yourself.
“You were entrusted with specific and significant roles in the repeated commission of these crimes.
“I have already mentioned filming. Sometimes you operated a timer and would go last in the knowledge of what had gone before and the condition of the child.”
On Monday, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) told Sky News it had received an intimation of intention to appeal (IIA) against Forbes’ conviction and sentence.
The remaining six members have another week to lodge an IIA if they also intend to challenge the result of their court case.
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 the heroin addicts.
The youngsters, who referred to the location of their abuse as the “beastie house”, claimed money was exchanged after the heinous sex attacks while some of the attackers laughed.
Iain Owens, 46; Elaine Lannery, 40; Lesley Williams, 43; Paul Brannan, 42; Barry Watson, 48; John Clark, 48; and Forbes were all found guilty of rape and sexual assault.
Owens, Lannery, Williams and Brannan were also found guilty of attempting to murder a child by trapping them in various places including a microwave and a cupboard.
In addition, Owens, Williams and Brannan were convicted of drugs offences.
The offences, involving the children, happened between 2012 and 2019.
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All seven were handed an OLR and placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely when they appeared back in the dock for sentencing last week.
An OLR is 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; Lannery 17 years; Williams 14 years; Brannan 15 years; Watson nine-and-a-half years; Clark 10 years; and Forbes eight years.
If ever paroled from jail following the “punishment part” of their sentence, they will be subject to risk management for the rest of their life.
If they go on to commit another crime once released back into the community, they will face being recalled back to prison.
Sentencing them, Lord Beckett warned: “What you – and the community – should understand is that you may never be released.”
The judge added: “This court is used to hearing about some of the worst examples of human behaviour but such depravity as you displayed against young children is beyond my experience.
“As was said in the aftermath of the trial, this is not typical behaviour. Such extreme abuse of children seems to be rare.”
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The case has sparked a major review, which will aim to improve and develop systems to better protect children and young people.
At Holyrood following the sentencing, Scotland’s children’s minister told MSPs the details in the case were “horrific”.
MSP Natalie Don-Innes added: “This case absolutely horrifies me, and there is no getting away from the fact that these children were failed.”
