Final four in ‘abhorrent’ Walsall child sex abuse case jailed

In total, 21 people have now been convicted of sexual offences against seven young children in Walsall which spanned almost a decade.

It was the biggest investigation of its kind in West Midland Police’s history.

Chief Crown Prosecutor Joanne Jakymec said the “scale, depravity and deeply disturbing nature” of the abuse was unlike anything she had seen.

The offending came to light in 2017 when West Midlands Police uncovered the systematic sexual abuse of the children as part of Operation Satchel.

Three trials have taken place over a period of 18 months.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday (June 2) Natasha Webb, 37, Matthew Evans, 32, John Griffiths, 66, and Violet Griffiths, 66, were jailed for a total of 59 years.

At the first trial, Webb, the only defendant to plead guilty to child sexual abuse, admitted conspiracy to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence, five counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity, two counts of child cruelty and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13.

She was jailed for nine years and also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and an indefinite restraining order in respect of the victims.

Evans, John Griffiths and Violet Griffiths had previously been found guilty of multiple child sexual abuse offences at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Evans was found guilty of conspiracy to cause or incite children under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity and rape of a child under 13 and jailed for 17 and a half years with an indefinite SHPO and an indefinite restraining order.

John Griffiths was found guilty of causing or inciting children under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity and rape of a child under 13. He was jailed for 17 and a half years with a 20-year SHPO and an indefinite restraining order.

Violet Griffiths  was found guilty of causing or inciting children under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity and causing a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity. She was jailed for 15 years with a 20-year SHPO and an indefinite restraining order.

“The total number of custodial years for these horrific offences is now a staggering 190,” said West Midland Police.

In the first trial on May 27, 2022, James Evans, Pamela Howells, Lee Webb, Kirsty Webb, Mark Smith, and Ann Marie Clare were convicted of multiple child sexual abuse-related offences.

“Stephen Webb and Dean Webb were found to have done the acts alleged having been found to be unfit to plead or stand trial,” said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The defendants from trial one were sentenced on August 31, 2022, with the exception of Dean Webb who was sentenced on September 9, 2022 and Stephen Webb, who was sentenced on January 13, 2023.

On Friday February 3, 2023, the jury in trial two convicted Tracey Baker, David Baker, Luke Baker, David Evans, Philip Wellington, Natalie Wellington, Jason Evans, and Ryan Evans of multiple child sexual abuse-related offences.

Jane Evans was found to have done the acts alleged having been found to be unfit to plead or stand trial, said the CPS. Some of these defendants were sentenced on March 24, 2023.

Ms Jakymec, who is the Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Serious Economic Organised and International Directorate, said: “The final four defendants have been sentenced in what has been the largest ever child sexual abuse investigation and prosecution in the West Midlands.

“The 21 offenders convicted in Operation Satchel perpetrated the most abhorrent catalogue of systematic sexual abuse on seven children.

“The scale, depravity and deeply disturbing nature of which is unlike anything I have seen during my time working for the CPS and has shocked everyone who has been involved in bringing them to justice.

“The cruel abuse which they inflicted on the victims for years has caused them physical and extreme psychological harm, leaving them traumatised.

“I would like to thank and commend all of the victims and the witnesses for their bravery in coming forward and giving evidence – it is their courage which enabled us to bring this case to court and see justice served.

“This has been a complex and challenging case which, due to the sheer number of defendants involved, required us to prepare for and present evidence in three separate trials which took place over a period of 18 months to successfully secure this outcome.

“With the exception of one defendant, who admitted what they had done, none of the rest have shown the slightest remorse.

“I would also like to thank the West Midlands Police investigation team who worked with the CPS over five years painstakingly reviewing a huge amount of evidence to ensure that this large network of child sexual abusers was prosecuted and convicted.

“All children have the right to feel safe and protected. We hope the outcome of this case will encourage anyone who may be in a similar position to come forward to report these incidents to the police, knowing we will do all we can to prosecute where there is sufficient evidence to do so and offer support for victims.”

West Midlands Police said officers conducted more than 70 suspect interviews in their quest to bring the offenders to justice resulting in multiple charges against each defendant and sentences of up to life in prison.

Head of the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Drover, said: “This has been a challenging and complex investigation, and the biggest of its kind I have known for the force.

“But at the heart of it has been seven children who suffered the most abhorrent and cruel abuse, not just physically but psychologically, leaving them in extreme trauma. Their welfare has been at the heart of this investigation and support for them will continue for many years to come. I commend their bravery in being able to tell us about their abuse.

“I am grateful to everyone who worked so hard to get justice for them, and the jurors who had to listen to such a catalogue of depravity to reach their verdict.

“We have improved the way we work in the Public Protection Unit over recent years putting victims at the heart of our investigations, and this case has given us valuable learning to keep improving.

“I hope that this conviction shows that we are determined to bring offenders to justice and anyone who has suffered or is still suffering sexual abuse, should not be afraid to tell someone, either to police, a teacher, a doctor or anyone else they feel they can trust. We have specialist officers who are trained to help and we work with many partners and charities who can offer support.”