Description
A Luton man who was part of a paedophile ring convicted of more than 30 child sexual abuse offences has been jailed for 32 years.
Robin Hollyson, 30, had pleaded guilty to three counts of raping a child under 13, three counts of conspiracy to rape a child under 13, sexual assault of a child under 13 and possessing indecent images of children.
He was one of seven jailed for a total of 107 years at Bristol Crown Court today.
The investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) alongside Bedfordshire Police, Wiltshire Police and Avon & Somerset Police was launched in September and the network of offenders began to be identified.
Bedfordshire Police had already arrested Hollyson after being alerted to a possible offence before the NCA contacted the force with information about his involvement in the wider ring.
The court heard the men shared indecent images and videos of children being abused, communicating via social networking forums.
Evidence showed that the groups victims were mainly babies and infants, with at least one victim given stupefying drugs to enable offenders to carry out sexual abuse.
The men were convicted of offences including the rape of a child under the age of 13, conspiracy to rape a child under the age of 13, sexual assault on a child under 13, sexual activity with a child under the age of 13, administering a substance with intent, making and possessing indecent images of children (IIOC) and breaching a Sex Offender Prevention Order (SOPO).
The victims identified so far were under the age of five at the time the offences were committed.
Detective Inspector Jerry Waite form Bedfordshire Police said: The sentences passed today show just how seriously the courts and law enforcement agencies consider the evil actions of these men.
Hollyson and these men went to great lengths in order to carry out their depraved acts.
Befriending and grooming a family in order to target their child is truly sickening and clearly shows their level of determination to identify and exploit a victim.
The family of Hollysons victim said: We would like to thank Bedfordshire Police, the National Crime Agency and all the other law enforcement agencies involved for their support and handling of what has been a very traumatic and distressing experience for us.
No family ever wants to find that their child has been the victim of abuse, nor would they ever knowingly put their child at risk.
As a family we now need to mend - seeing the perpetrators being brought to justice is the first step.
The NCAs continuing investigation has resulted in the arrest of an additional 28 people so far, three have been charged with child sexual abuse image offences.
Nine children have been safeguarded, bringing the total number of children safeguarded to 33.
Of those arrested, seven were in positions of trust four teachers, two charity/fundraiser workers and one was employed by a local authority. In addition, two people received cautions for extreme pornography offences.