Woman at centre of ‘depraved’ sex ring jailed for life

A woman at the centre of an “utterly depraved” sex abuse ring which used children as “sexual play-things” has been jailed for life.

Marie Black, 34, from Norwich, was convicted of 23 offences including rape, conspiracy to rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, following a trial earlier this year.

The charges related to five young children — two boys and three girls — over a 10-year period.

It included “raffling” the children and transporting them to sex parties for abuse by others.

Sentencing her at Norwich Crown Court, Judge Nicholas Coleman told Black she would be jailed for life and would not be eligible for parole for at least 12 years.

Black sobbed uncontrollably as he described her as the “constant factor” in the crimes.

“Your conduct towards these children can only be described as utterly depraved — the children were subjected to sexual abuse of the worst kind.

Michael Rogers, 46, from Romford, Essex, was found guilty of 14 counts including cruelty, rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Jason Adams, 44, from Norwich, was convicted of 13 similar counts.

Rogers and Adams were both sentenced to 24 years. The men were made subject to sexual harm prevention orders.