Paedophiles who plotted to drug and rape babies are released early from prison

The trio had been spotted in Barrow but police say they have now moved away

Kevin and Susan Barnett (CASCADE NEWS)

A trio of convicted paedophiles who shared plans to drug and rape babies via the WhatsApp messenging service have been released from jail after serving a fraction of their sentence.

Kevin Barnett suggested drugging youngsters so he could enact his sick desires, while his wife Susan said she would be willing to comfort a child as it was raped. A second woman Nikita Moore shared their plans.

In February 2015, Kevin Barnett was jailed for six years, Susan Barnett was jailed for four and-a-half years and Moore, now known as Nicola Williams, was jailed for four years.

Despite their lengthy sentences, and being convicted after a trial, it is understood all three have now been released from prison.

Barnett and his wife, then both 28, were found guilty of arranging the commission of a child sexual offence and Moore, 22, was convicted of conspiracy to commit child sexual offences with Barnett.

Moore, of St Vincent Street in Barrow, had even discussed having a baby with Barnett for them to abuse together - although prosecutors conceded this particular horrific exchange was just fantasy.

The 22-year-old was sending messages to Barnett saying she thought about sexually abusing children "all the time" when sick exchanges between the married couple were still continuing.

Moore began an affair with Barnett shortly after the death of her long term partner Jason Baines, who killed himself in October 2013.

The 22-year-old, originally from Birmingham, said the two had indulged in "unconventional" sexual practices.

Their relationship ended in early 2014 when Moore discovered Barnett was also having an affair with another woman.

After admitting the affair to Mrs Barnett, Moore said the two women had become "really close" and began living together in Barrow.

But Moore continued to secretly exchange messages with Kevin Barnett discussing underage sex and sharing indecent images of children.

Kevin Barnett, Susan Barnett, and Nikita Moore (Cascade News)

Summing up the case, Judge Christopher Cornwell told the jury: "You have heard the text exchange which at times no doubt disgusted you. We could go on and on with the disgust but the central question never goes away.

"Was there a conclusive agreement and was there an agreement that it should be put into action?"

Moore and Kevin Barnett had previously pleaded guilty to offences relating to indecent images of children.

Mrs Barnett had also pleaded guilty to possessing extreme pornography depicting sex with animals.

Detectives were able to stop the would-be child abusers after a stroke of luck when officers were called to a domestic disturbance between Barnett and a woman unrelated to the case.

Officers examined his phone after a tip off and the three defendants were arrested after detectives trawled through the sick messages.

All three had denied the charges but were found guilty after a two-week trial at Preston Crown Court.

Kevin Barnett was spotted in Barrow at the end of last month but police have confirmed all three are not believed to be in the Barrow area now.

A prisoner serving a fixed-term sentence is normally released automatically halfway through their sentence. If the offence was committed before 2005 and the sentence was for four or more years they will need to apply for parole.

The decision to grant parole is made by a panel, who consider a convict's behaviour in prison, how likely they are to re-offend or if they are a danger to public or any medical, psychiatric and psychological evidence.

Once granted parole, an offender is released on probation, and must comply with various conditions including regular offender management meetings or unpaid work.