The paedophiles behind 'biggest-ever' child sex abuse ring as they are jailed for 145 years

The evil criminals involved in the biggest-ever child sex abuse ring in the West Midlands have been jailed for more than 145 years. A total of 21 people have been convicted of sickening crimes against seven children up to the age of 12.

The 'abhorrent and cruel' offences stretched over almost a decade in the Walsall and Wolverhampton areas. A huge six-year probe into the abuse was launched by West Midlands Police after one of the victims went to hospital in 2017.

It is the biggest investigation of its kind in West Midland Police’s history, with one detective branding the 'systematic' abuse as the 'most shocking' he has ever seen. The case could only now be reported due to reporting restrictions imposed at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

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Restrictions have since been lifted after the final of three consecutive trials ended today (April 5), reports BirminghamLive. A judge has already sentenced 17 defendants - seen in the montage above - for their part in the sex abuse gang dubbed Operation Satchel.

A total of 13 defendants were handed custodial sentences, while one of the perpetrators was even sentenced to life behind bars for their horrific offending. Four others are due to discover their fate next month.

Deputy Chief Superintendent Paul Drover, who was head of investigation for West Midlands Police, said: "So in 2017, police received the first report from a child alleging they had been subject to systematic sexual abuse. That started a six-year investigation involving specialist investigators from West Midlands Police, children's social workers, along with experts in mental health.

"We were able to identify seven children