'Disgusting' pair who filmed child rape jailed

Zabien Burns and Bethany Hill were jailed for multiple child sex offences

A man and woman who filmed themselves as they raped and sexually abused a child have been jailed.

Zabien Burns, 35, pleaded not guilty to 10 sexual offences, but a jury found him guilty of all offences following an eight-day trial.

He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 16 years and nine months at Hull Crown Court on Tuesday.

Bethany Hill, 27, pleaded guilty to eight sexual offences and was jailed for 14 years.

Burns, of no fixed address, was convicted of two counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault, three counts of making indecent images of children and causing the sexual exploitation of a child.

Hill, of Boulevard, in Hull, was convicted of two counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault, arranging the commission of a child sex offence and causing the sexual exploitation of a child.

They were both given a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and will both be on the sex offenders register for life.

'Heinous actions'

Speaking after the sentencing, the child's mum said when she found out what had happened, she felt "completely numb".

"It was a huge, horrendous shock, but once it started to sink in, I felt nothing but rage. The thoughts of what these disgusting and horrible individuals have done has plagued me from the moment I open my eyes until I go to sleep," she added.

"There are no words for the heinous actions of Hill and Burns', and the impact that it has had, and will continue to have, on our family is immeasurable.

"I am sickened to the core and the effect this has had can only be described as soul destroying."

Det Con Annabel Devall said: "This is one of the most horrific and despicable cases I have ever worked on where a child, one of the most vulnerable people in our society, has been subjected to abominable sexual abuse over a prolonged period.

"This is something the family will never be able to forget, and despite the result here today, it is a trauma they are all going to have to live with for the rest of their lives."

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