Marie Black, 34, (pictured) played an 'instrumental role' in using the five children as 'sexual play-things'

A female rapist has been found guilty of running a paedophile ring which subjected five young children to sexual and physical abuse over more than a decade.

Ten people - including six women - were on trial accused of the child sex abuse which is said to have centred around Marie Black, 34, of Norwich.

She denied 26 offences at Norwich Crown Court but today, after 19 hours of deliberations and a three-month trial, the jury convicted her of all but three counts.

She was found guilty of offences including rape, conspiracy to rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Black sobbed uncontrollably in the dock as the verdicts were delivered.

Michael Rogers, 53, from Romford, Essex, was also found guilty of 14 counts including cruelty, rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Jason Adams, 43, a former cleaner at Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital, was found guilty of 13 similar counts.

Carol Stadler, 59, from Norwich, was found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm but cleared of nine other charges, including serious sexual assaults.

The remaining defendants - Anthony Stadler, 63, Nicola Collins, 36, Andrew Collins, 52, Judith Fuller, 31, Denise Barnes, 43, and Kathleen Adams, 85, all from Norwich - were cleared of all counts.

Prosecutor Angela Rafferty QC said Black, previously known as Marie Adams, played an instrumental role in using the five children as 'sexual play-things'.

The abuse, which is said to have happened in and around Norwich and London, included forcing the children to have sex with one another.

Michael Rogers, 53, (pictured left) was found guilty of 14 counts including cruelty, rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Jason Adams, 43, (right) was found guilty of 13 similar counts

On some occasions, the adults threw parties and played card games to decide who would abuse which child, Mrs Rafferty said.

In interviews the victims described how they were abused in front of one another and other adults.

They said the abuse became so routine the victims came to accept it as normal.

The children were preyed upon during a period beginning around 15 years ago. Several victims described Black and Jason Adams taking photos and laughing.

One male victim said: ‘There would be parties and they would do some games where the boys were in one room with the men and the girls were in another with the women.

‘The adults would have a card game and the winner would get to choose a boy to start touching their private parts and then hurt them afterwards.’

Describing Black, Mrs Rafferty said: 'Was she a helpless victim of abusive males or was she herself deeply involved with the children's ill treatment?

'Many of the defendants have become good at appearing normal and respectable.

'This is what you would have to do in order to be child abusers to the extent alleged here.'

All of the defendants, including Black (left) and Rogers (right) denied ever abusing the children involved

All of the defendants denied abusing the children, and claimed it simply did not happen.

During the trial it emerged that police had launched an investigation in to the conduct of Norfolk County Council social workers involved in the case.

The court heard that the trial had originally been due to start last year only to be delayed when prosecutors raised concerns over changes made by social workers to statements taken from the children.

This resulted in Norfolk Police launching an investigation into alleged misconduct.

Sarah Elliott QC, representing Black, told the court that at the time the county's children's services department had recently failed an Ofsted inspection, being ranked 'inadequate' in all areas.

The guilty defendants will be sentenced this afternoon.

Carol Stadler, 59, (pictured) was found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm but cleared of nine other charges, including sexual assaults

Speaking outside the court, Detective Chief Inspector Pete Hornby praised the bravery of the victims and said he was satisfied with the result of a 28-month investigation.

He added: 'This case provides a sickening glimpse into sexual abuse on a large scale.'

He said the force had concluded its investigation into the allegations made against social workers and no criminal charges would be brought.

Mr Hornby added: 'In their tender years, these children were subjected to sexual abuse beyond most people's imagination by adults they believed were telling the truth.

'It is the most harrowing case I have dealt with in 23 years of policing.

'Marie Black has been found to be at the centre of this abuse and incited others to commit abuse against them. She thought they would never speak out.

'Today's verdict is testament to the children's bravery and to the hard work of dedicated professionals from a range of agencies in this case.

'It has brought them the knowledge they are believed and, I hope, will encourage other victims of abuse to find their voice and come forward.'

Sheila Lock, interim executive director of Norfolk children's services, said: 'Sexual abuse against children is an horrific crime and still often goes under-reported or unnoticed.

'The victims in this case have shown tremendous courage in speaking out and I hope that this verdict will give other victims or witnesses the confidence to report abuse - because agencies in Norfolk will listen and act.

'This was a complex case brought by the Crown Prosecution Service, with our staff among several witnesses who gave evidence in the proceedings.