Legal News

A court has convicted four people of child abuse, including a 34-year-old woman who played an instrumental role in using five children as “sexual playthings”.

A total of ten people were put on trial for child abuse, with six acquitted of all charges. The offences took place in London and around the Norwich area, the court heard.
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Marie Black, 34 – formerly known as Marie Adams – stood trial at Norwich Crown Court with five other women and three men, BBC News reports.

Black denied all 26 charges against her, but a jury found her guilty of all but three counts involving rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

It is reported that Black “sobbed uncontrollably” in the dock as the verdicts were delivered by the jury.
Out of the three men on trial, two men were found guilty of child sex abuse – and another woman was found guilty of assault.
Michael Rogers, 53, from Romford in Essex was found guilty of 14 charges including cruelty, rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Jason Adams, 43, from Norwich, was convicted of 13 similar charges.

Carol Stadler, 60, from Atkinson Close, Bowthorpe in Norwich was found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm – but the jury cleared her of nine other charges, including serious sexual assaults.

All four will be sentenced on 28 September.
The catalogue of abuse included forcing the children to have sex with each other – and the court heard that the defendants had also held parties and played card games to decide who would abuse each child.
The victims described how they were abused in front of one another and other adults, with some of the abuse involving toys, including Barbie dolls.
All of the defendants denied the abuse, saying it “simply did not happen”.
The details had been uncovered after police had launched an investigation into the conduct of an agency social worker involved in the case.
The trial had originally been due to start last year – but was delayed when prosecutors raised concerns over changes made by social workers to statements taken from the child victims.
Norfolk Police launched an investigation into anomalies in documents – and prosecutors decided no action should be taken, Norfolk Police said after the trial.
A police spokeswoman confirmed:
“There was no wrongdoing found on the part of the council.”
Interim executive director of children's services at Norfolk County Council, Sheila Lock, added:
“The victims in this case have shown tremendous courage in speaking out.
“The needs of the children – who were central to the prosecution case – have always been at the fore of our minds and have been the main focus of all of the agencies involved.
“Our priority continues to be the children in this case who – despite the ordeal they have been through – are now doing well and are safe from harm.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Claims for Sexual and Physical Abuse

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise those who have suffered sexual and physical abuse on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation, including claims involving historical cases of sexual and physical abuse.

Claims for sexual and physical abuse can be made from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority within three years of conviction of the perpetrator – and also against the perpetrator of abuse once a conviction has been obtained.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Claims for Sexual and Physical Abuse, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.