Iris Way

In a harrowing case of child sexual abuse that spanned more than two decades before justice was served, Iris Way, aged 61, and her husband Derek, aged 64, from Abergele, were convicted at Mold Crown Court for a catalogue of sexual offences against a boy and a girl who were just 11 and 13 years old respectively when the abuse began in the early 1980s.

The couple's depraved actions came to light following a 2½-week trial where the now-adult victims provided compelling evidence. Iris Way was found guilty of nine charges, including two counts of indecently assaulting the boy, one count of attempted buggery, two counts of inciting the boy to have sex with the girl, and four counts of indecent assault upon the girl. She actively participated by holding down the screaming boy as Derek attempted to have sex with him, indulging in sex acts with both children, and supporting the grooming and exploitation of the girl who was forced into sex with other men at alcohol-fuelled parties.

• The abuse started when the couple took the 11-year-old boy into their bed and Iris had sex with him.
• Iris held the boy down during assaults by her husband.
• The couple forced the boy to have sex with the 13-year-old girl.
• The girl was groomed before being compelled to have sex with multiple men invited to the Ways' home.
• Sordid sex parties were held where revellers abused the children.

Prosecutor Mr Philpotts highlighted Iris's 'willing and enthusiastic support' in the 'most foul' abuse orchestrated by her husband. Judge John Rogers QC described the three years of offending as 'serial sexual assault' upon the youngsters 'solely for your own depraved pleasure', telling Iris directly: 'At your hands, he was then subjected to a string of sexual assaults.' Defence counsel Simon Mintz argued she was in some ways a victim herself, taking a subordinate role to serve her husband's desires. As sentence was passed, shouts of 'scum' echoed from the public gallery.

Iris Way received a 10-year prison sentence. Both she and Derek were made subject to a sexual offences prevention order, barring them from approaching their victims, and ordered to register as sex offenders for life. The case was reported by North Wales Live on 19 April 2013.