In another farce from “Scottish Justice”, Marianne Gallagher, a Glasgow paedophile, was convicted of physically abusing a child in a Glasgow drug den where seven others perpetrated “harrowing” abuse. Despite Judge Mental denouncing her conduct as “reprehensible,” she was spared more sentence.
Marianne Gallagher, 40, was found guilty of assault after an eight-week trial in 2023, during which claims of abuse were presented that a judge described as “plunging to the depths of human depravity.”
Co-defendants Iain Owens, 46; Elaine Lannery, 40; Lesley Williams, 43; Paul Brannan, 42; Scott Forbes, 51; Barry Watson, 48; and John Clark, 48, are scheduled for sentencing later this month after being found guilty of gang raping a minor and abusing other children in a drug den where heroin and crack cocaine were consumed.
Four individuals from the group— Iain Owens, Elaine Lannery, Paul Brannan, and Lesley Williams—were convicted of conspiring to murder a child by forcing her into a microwave and confining her in various locations.
The High Court trial in Glasgow revealed that charges involving three minors occurred between 2012 and 2019, with allegations of Satanic rituals presented to the jury before the prosecution retracted them, and no convictions were made over the dog-killing allegations.
Eleven individuals were tried, but three were exonerated.
Marianne Gallagher was the sole individual convicted who was not placed on the sex offenders’ register after her conviction in November 2023 and was granted bail.
On Monday, the High Court in Glasgow was informed that woman had given birth in August and was still grappling with addiction.
The court was informed that Marianne Gallagher was found guilty of “striking and kicking” a kid, an occurrence that transpired “occasionally”.
Nonetheless, the judge informed the court that typically such an offence would not be addressed in a High Court.
Marianne Gallagher has not yet been sentenced for an infraction that occurred prior to the trial in 2022.
She hasn’t shaken off the addiction issues which have plagued her for many years
Defending, Thomas Ross KC said: “After a lengthy trial, Marianne Gallagher was convicted of assault. Sentence was deferred for good behaviour.
“The author of the report made reference to an outstanding case where sentence was deferred. It doesn’t amount to a breach.”
Judge Lord Beckett said: “Could you confirm there has been no adverse behaviour?”
The prosecutor said: “Yes, I can.”
Mr Ross said: “Firstly, she spent 55 days in custody in 2023. Secondly, she has not committed any offence during the past year.
“I do recognise there may be some issues in the criminal justice social work report which may give Your Lordship some cause for concern.
“She hasn’t shaken off the addiction issues which have plagued her for many years.
“There are issues around the birth of her son, in August.
“She has volunteered to put her child into care.”
He added: “It is unusual in the High Court for a case to be disposed of in this way.
“I also recognise this is a more serious offence.”
Judge Beckett told Marianne Gallagher she was “admonished” due to the length of time proceedings have gone on.
He said: “You are in a very different situation to the other persons on this indictment who were convicted.
“You were acquitted of sexual offences and the most serious aspects of charge two.
“Those left are reprehensible, which is ‘hitting and kicking’ Child A, which were referred to as ‘occasional’, as opposed to more regular assaults by others.
“You have shown no remorse.
“I do take into account what has been said in mitigation. During the trial you were remanded in custody for a significant period.
“I Iearn you have had another child, and there are ongoing difficulties in establishing a relationship with your new child.
“I can’t do anything about that.
“I do note the bail conditions and the time they were put in place, and the difficulties in the relationship with your children.
“I don’t see the case for imposing further punishment.”
He added: “If you offend further, you will find yourself in pretty severe trouble.
“You have managed not to offend in the past 12 months.
“You will simply be admonished now. That will be the end of proceedings.”
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