Personal Injury Solicitors

Bristol Crown Court has sentenced seven men to more than 107 years in jail for child sex abuse.

Robin Hollyson, Adam Toms, Christopher Knight, Matthew Lisk and David Harsley pleaded guilty to offences of sexually abusing a baby and young children.

Adam Toms admitted to drugging and raping a four-year-old child. Robin Hollyson pleaded to the rape of a baby.

John Denham and Matthew Stansfield were convicted in April by a jury, after denying conspiracy to rape or sexually assault a baby.

Denham was convicted of conspiracy to sexually assault a baby and Stansfield for conspiracy to rape a baby on two occasions.

On Friday, 11 September 2015, at Bristol Crown Court, Robin Hollyson was sentenced to 24 years in jail, with an eight-year (32 years); Adam Toms was handed a 12-year jail term with a four-year extension (16 years); Christopher Knight received an 18-year jail term with a six-year extension (24 years); John Denham was sentenced to eight years in jail with a four-year extension (12 years); Matthew Stansfield was handed a ten-year sentence with a four-year extension (14 years); Matthew Lisk received a four-year jail term with a three-year extension (seven years); and David Harsley was given two years in jail.

After sentencing, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Organised Crime Division, Gregor McGill, said:

“This case has exposed a horrific world that many would never have believed existed.

“These men had a shocking interest in sexually abusing young children, including raping a baby when only months old.

“This abuse was planned and calculated – they arranged the abuse when there was only a small amount of time to be alone with a baby or child, including when one of the men was trusted to be alone by unsuspecting parents. They would sometimes live stream the abuse via the dark web or Skype.

“Much of the evidence in this case was recovered messaging on social networking websites – and tracking of phones and cars, putting the men at relevant locations at particular times.

“It's hard to find the right words to describe this profoundly disturbing abuse –
but I hope today's sentence will be of some very small comfort to the families of the children and sends a clear message to abusers and others tempted to become involved in this type of criminality.”

Deputy Director of Investigations at the National Crime Agency (NCA), Graham Gardner, added:

“Today's sentences highlight the depravity of these men – a depth of depravity that, thankfully, we rarely see.

“These offenders demonstrated a determined ruthlessness to identify vulnerable babies and infants who were unable to protect themselves – their callousness beggars belief.

“This national investigation has now moved to an international one – and the NCA will continue to work with our partners at home and abroad, to ensure those who abuse children are brought to justice.”

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

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of personal injury solicitors offering sensitive legal advice to survivors of sexual and physical abuse who wish to make a claim for compensation.

Sexual and Physical Abuse Claims can be made from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority within three years of conviction.

Claims against the perpetrator can be also be made through the civil courts within three years of a conviction being obtained. Children can make a claim for compensation up to the age of 21, however.

Duncan Lewis can also advise on how to make a claim in a case of historical sexual abuse or physical abuse.

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