12 years for the mother from hell

AMOTHER who allowed her two young daughters to be abused by Edinburgh's worst paedophile ring was today jailed for 12 years. A judge said Caroline Dunsmore, 43, had been guilty of a "grievous breach of trust" and the sentence marked the "public revulsion" at her crime.

John O'Flaherty, 50, was sentenced to 13 years for raping one of Dunsmore's daughters, while a third member of the ring, Morris Petch, was told that he faced a possible life sentence for his part in the catalogue of abuse.

Speaking outside the High Court in Edinburgh, victim Dana Fowley today said all three deserved life sentences.

The court previously heard a group of friends, up to 15-strong, systematically raped and molested Ms Fowley and her sister in Edinburgh and a caravan park in Perthshire over the course of 12 years up to 1997, starting when one of them was just six.

Detectives in the force's sex crimes unit - who helped uncover the paedophile ring ten years after the girls' ordeal ended described the case as "the worst they had ever seen".

Sentencing Dunsmore, of Nichollfield, Newhaven, Lord Malcolm said today: "I consider that I must deal with this matter with the utmost seriousness.

"This was a grievous breach of trust on the part of a mother towards her child.

"You participated fully in a paedophile group whose abuse of your daughter was obviously causing serious damage and you took no steps to remove her from that situation.

"The sentence I give today has to mark the level of public revulsion and act as a deterrent towards others."

Sentencing O'Flaherty, of Ferry Road, the judge said: "You have pleaded guilty to raping a very young girl on various occasions and when she was aged around ten taking part in a horrific sexual attack on her along with other men.

"You repeatedly took advantage of a little girl to satisfy your deviant desires. You have shown no real remorse or understanding of the damage caused and your sentence should also mark public disgust at these callous crimes."

Petch, 50, was found guilty of repeatedly raping both girls when they were about ten years old. His sentence was deferred until August 10 for a risk assessment by a forensic psychologist but he was told he faced a life sentence.

Petch was convicted following a three-day trial at the city's High Court where he had denied taking part in the abuse.

Dunsmore and O'Flaherty had earlier admitted their part in the abuse and Dunsmore gave evidence against her former friend.

Another three men and a woman suspected of involvement died before their activities came to light.

Both Ms Fowley, now 26, and her sister had to give evidence in court against Petch after he maintained his innocence.

The two girls were forced to take part in sexual orgies involving Dunsmore, Petch and O'Flaherty at homes in north Edinburgh.

The older of the two was repeatedly blindfolded, tied to a bed or forced to watch adults having group sex during a series of horrific attacks. She was then abused herself.

In one incident, her younger sister told how she was sexually assaulted by five men the day before her 16th birthday.

Ms Fowley was helped from the court room in tears following the sentence passed on her mother.

Gordon Jackson QC, defending Dunsmore, had earlier told the court in mitigation that his client had suffered a "horrendous life of abuse" herself. Mr Jackson said that Dunsmore had been raped by her father, William Dunsmore from the age of six.

He added that a lodger who stayed with the family, who was not named in court, also abused her during his stay before later being jailed for rape and murder.

Mr Jackson said Dunsmore endured a "deprived childhood of alcoholism, criminality and poverty."

The court heard that Dunsmore blamed her deceased husband Billy King for orchestrating the abuse against her daughters. Mr Jackson said his client was "too petrified to refuse" amid fears she would be attacked.

He said Dunsmore, who has an IQ of only 65, had made repeated suicide attempts over the years.

He said: "What is the point of putting this woman in jail? She is a sinner but she was fiercely sinned against."

Richard Goddard, representing O'Flaherty, also said his client blamed King for organising the abuse, adding that the father-of-three felt remorse for his behaviour.

Gail Gianni, representing Petch, simply said that her client continued to maintain his innocence.