Six members of one of Scotland’s largest paedophile gangs intend to appeal against their conviction and prison sentences.
It comes as the legal aid bill for the case to date has so far exceeded £1.4m.
Warning: This story contains graphic content and details of sexual abuse
Iain Owens, 46, Elaine Lannery, 40, Lesley Williams, 43, Paul Brannan, 42, Scott Forbes, 51, Barry Watson, 48, and John Clark, 48, were each handed an order for lifelong restriction (OLR) for abusing three children in a Glasgow drug den dubbed the “beastie house”.
During a two-month trial in 2023, the city’s high court 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.
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.
Forbes was the first to lodge an intimation of intention to appeal (IIA) against his conviction and sentence.
On Monday, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) told Sky News that appeals against conviction and sentence had subsequently been submitted by Owens, Lannery, Brannan, Watson, and Clark.
Williams has until the end of the day to submit an IIA or notice of appeal (NOA) if she intends to challenge the result of her court case.
An OLR is a life-long sentence usually reserved for the most serious court cases in Scotland that do not involve murder.
Judge Lord Beckett warned the gang that they may never be freed, adding: “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.”
In addition to the sex offences, 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.
Owens, Williams, and Brannan were also convicted of drugs offences.
An eighth person, Marianne Gallagher, was convicted of assault but was cleared of all other charges.
The 40-year-old, who hit and kicked a child, was later admonished.
A further three people – Mark Carr, Richard Gachagan, and Leona Laing – were acquitted by the jury.
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The legal aid bill for the case – paid to the legal teams of those involved – has so far totalled £1,404,088.
Legal aid breakdown
• Owens: £141,358
• Lannery: £232,768
• Williams: £77,612
• Brannan: £81,971
• Forbes: £140,651
• Watson: £83,296
• Clark: £94,285
• Gallagher: £136,368
• Carr: £121,274
• Gachagan: £141,188
• Laing: £153,317
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A spokesperson for the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) said: “Legal aid is paid directly to legal representatives to ensure the defence of those accused of serious and sometimes reprehensible crimes is properly prepared and presented to a jury.
“This also minimises delays in trials.
“This case involved an eight-week high court trial with multiple accused, many witnesses, a significant amount of police and social work evidence and the preparation of expert reports.
“This required extensive work by several teams of lawyers which inevitably resulted in substantial costs.
“Our criminal legal department worked closely with defence teams to ensure, where possible, aspects of the preparation and conduct of the trial were carried out in a way that prevented even higher costs to the public purse.”
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The offences, involving the children, happened between 2012 and 2019.
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.”
