Glasgow review finds 20 missed chances to protect abused children

A damning independent review has concluded that authorities in Glasgow repeatedly failed to protect children at the centre of a horrific abuse ring despite years of warnings and clear signs of distress. The report, published by Glasgow City Council's Child Protection Committee, found more than 20 missed opportunities to intervene between 2012 and 2019.

The review follows the convictions of seven people for what a judge described as crimes plunging to "the depths of human depravity." Iain Owens, 46, Elaine Lannery, 40, Lesley Williams, 43, Paul Brannan, 42, Scott Forbes, 51, Barry Watson, 48, and John Clark, 48, were convicted in November 2023. They were sentenced in January 2025 to prison terms of between eight and 20 years before being eligible for parole. Four of them—Owens, Lannery, Brannan, and Williams—were also found guilty of attempting to murder a child by pushing her into a microwave and trapping her in other places.

The children were subjected to gang rape, assault, and severe neglect in a drug den where heroin and crack cocaine were used. Despite constant contact with social work, health, and education agencies, the abuse escalated for years. The report states...