Paedophile ring leader Marie Black to appeal

Marie Black led a group of paedophiles that "passed children around like toys"

A child sex offender convicted of running a paedophile ring which passed youngsters "around like toys" has launched an appeal.

Marie Black, 34, from Norwich was found guilty of 23 charges, including rape, and jailed for life in September.

Victims were abused at parties over a 10-year period and may have been offered in raffles, her trial heard.

The Court of Appeal said she had submitted an application for permission to appeal her conviction and sentence.

Black was sentenced to a minimum term of 24 years.

At her sentencing, Judge Nicholas Coleman said the case was the "most harrowing" he had the "misfortune" to try.