A woman who was at the centre of a child sex abuse ring where youngsters were "passed around like toys" has been jailed for life.

Marie Black, from Norwich, will serve a minimum of 24 years behind bars after being found guilty of 23 offences following a trial earlier this year.

The crimes included rape, conspiracy to rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, as she used children "for her own and for others' sexual gratification".

The victims were five young children - two boys and three girls - who were abused over a 10-year period.

The judge told Black, 34, that her behaviour was "utterly depraved" and the victims were "passed around like toys".

Judge Nicholas Coleman said to the defendant, who sobbed throughout the sentencing hearing at Norwich Crown Court, that:

"The case is the most harrowing it has been my misfortune to try.

"I and the jurors had to listen to the truly gruesome detail of what took place.

"Your conduct towards these children can only be described as utterly depraved - the children were subjected to sexual abuse of the worst kind.

Michael Rogers, 46, from Romford, Essex, was jailed for 24 years after being found guilty of 14 counts including cruelty, rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Jason Adams, 44, from Norwich, was sentenced to 24 years after being convicted of 13 similar counts.

Judge Coleman said: "You, Marie Black, were the constant factor in all of these crimes.

"The offences included adults conspiring to rape children at so-called sex parties. You used them for you own, and for others, sexual gratification.

"It amounts to child sexual abuse of the most serious kind."

He added there was evidence the children were taken to other parts of the country where they were "raffled" for abuse by others.