Ep 3. My Disabled Daughter: Tortured And Murdered By Her Friends - Gemma Hayter

In season 5, episode 3 of Britain's Darkest Taboos, viewers are presented with the tragic story of Gemma Hayter, a disabled young woman who was brutally tortured and murdered by a group of her supposed friends. Gemma was a 27-year-old from south-east England who suffered from a rare genetic disease named Larsen syndrome, which caused her to have a curved spine, joint problems, and mobility issues. Despite these challenges, Gemma was said to be a bubbly and sociable person who enjoyed spending time with her friends and going out to clubs and parties.

However, Gemma's life would take a horrific and twisted turn when she met a group of people who would terrorize and abuse her for weeks on end. The episode delves into the details of what happened to Gemma as she became a victim of this group's sadistic behavior. The group included six people, five men and one woman, who were all young adults. They had invited Gemma to stay with them for a few days, promising to take care of her and help her out. But once Gemma was in their apartment, they started to physically and mentally torment her in the most vile and inhumane ways.

The episode explores the harrowing details of the abuse that Gemma was subjected to, including being forcibly injected with drugs, being beaten and kicked, and being forced to perform sexual acts on the group's members. The group also filmed and took pictures of their actions, which they later shared with others online. The events that took place over the weeks that Gemma was with this group are shocking and distressing to learn about, and the episode does not shy away from showing the gruesome details.

Despite being in extreme pain and distress, Gemma did try to reach out for help, but her pleas were ignored and laughed off by the people around her. The episode also highlights the lack of support and protection that disabled people can face when it comes to reporting abuse and violence. Gemma's case is an example of how those in positions of power, such as healthcare professionals and social workers, can fail to identify and protect vulnerable people from harm.

The episode concludes with the arrest and trial of the group members who were responsible for Gemma's death. The events leading up to their capture are detailed, and the trial itself is shown through archival footage. The perpetrators were found guilty of torture and murder, and the episode explores what happened to them after they were sentenced, including the impact on their families and friends.

Overall, season 5, episode 3 of Britain's Darkest Taboos is a heart-wrenching and shocking story of an innocent young woman who fell victim to a group of twisted and sadistic individuals. The episode sheds light on the realities of disability hate crime and the challenges that disabled people face when it comes to accessing justice and support. It is a haunting and important episode that will leave a lasting impression on viewers.