ALAN WEBSTER AND TANYA FRENCH HORRORS IN HATFIELD AND BURNHAM-ON-SEA

In a disturbing case that shocked the nation, Alan Webster and Tanya French, both from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, committed heinous crimes that have left a lasting scar on the community. The story of their depravity first came to light in early 2006, revealing a series of appalling acts involving the sexual abuse of a 12-week-old baby girl, for whom they were entrusted to care.

Webster, then 40 years old, was sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty at St Albans Crown Court to multiple charges, including rape, indecent assault, and the possession of indecent images of children. His crimes spanned over two months in early 2004, during which he also indecently assaulted a 14-year-old girl who was a regular visitor to his home in Hatfield. The court heard that Webster had downloaded approximately 7,000 indecent images from the internet, which led to a police search warrant at his residence in July 2005. During the search, authorities discovered a photograph album containing images of Webster and French engaging in acts of abuse.

French, then 19, was sentenced to five years in prison and received an extended license period of five years after admitting her involvement in the same horrific crimes. The court described her as having not only participated but also seemingly looked forward to the acts, which were committed against a vulnerable infant. Judge Findlay Baker emphasized the breach of trust involved, noting that French's actions were aggravated by her betrayal of the child's mother, who had initially refused to leave her baby in their care. The judge also acknowledged that French, under Webster's influence, had been somewhat corrupted and was not entirely responsible for her actions.

These crimes came to light after law enforcement agencies in the UK and internationally collaborated to investigate Webster's online activities. The police executed a search warrant at his Hatfield home in July 2005, uncovering a disturbing collection of photographs and videos depicting the abuse. Webster was convicted on four counts of rape, five of indecent assault, and multiple charges related to child abuse images. French faced similar charges, including rape, indecent assault, and possession of indecent images.

Despite serving only 30 months in prison, French has since been released and is now living under a new identity. Recently, she was seen enjoying a weekend at a caravan park near Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, with her parents and relatives. She was observed spending time at an amusement park, paying for ride tokens, and enjoying attractions such as Terror Castle, Roller Coaster, Astro Storm, and Disco Fever. She also purchased a seat on the X Factory ride, alongside children unaware of her past. Witnesses expressed outrage at her apparent carefree attitude, with one source stating, “Most people think she should still be locked up, not enjoying days by the seaside.”

Meanwhile, her accomplice Alan Webster, now 46, remains incarcerated, but the community continues to grapple with the horror of their crimes and the unsettling sight of French seemingly enjoying her freedom. The case remains a stark reminder of the depths of human depravity and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in protecting society from such predators.