Inside the sick world of monkey torture: How global network of monsters including a Brit bird-lover living with her parents, an Alabama grandmother and the 'Torture King' bonded over depraved videos of baby monkeys being horrifically abused

Hundreds of people across the world have been enthralled into the sick world of monkey torture - watching videos of helpless animals being sadistically beaten, attacked with drills and even doused in acid. 

Last year, the sordid global network of animal abusers was exposed after a year long investigation by the BBC found individuals online were commissioning the depraved videos.

'The monkey hating community', as it's known to its members, included a range of people from a grandmother living in Alabama, United States, to a 35-year-old bird-loving Brit living in the Midlands with her parents. 

Those from the UK and America would 'commission' the videos to be created, asking people living in countries like Thailand or Indonesia, where the monkeys are native, to film the depraved acts.

For years their vile habits have gone unpunished but now those caught indulging in the disturbing underground network could face criminal charges - and even jail time.

It has left the some warning their co-conspirators to watch out that the authorities are after them.

On one forum where a user asks 'is anyone able to send me monkey torture or gore videos', another advises: 'I just want to warn you about this. If you are offered videos and are asked to pay money, DON'T.'

'It's not illegal to watch them but paying money for them can you get you in serious trouble', the user added in a post published days ago.

The warning comes as two British women were charged with publishing an obscene article and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Holly LeGresley, 37, of Kidderminster, and Adriana Orme, 55, of Upton-upon Severn were just two of hundreds paying Indonesians to torture and kill infant long-tailed macaques on video.

Both women were high-profile members on the online torture group. LeGresley had gone by the name of 'The Immolator' online and was said to be a moderator in one of the most prolific groups. 

The charges made by West Mercia police force were made in relation to causing, consuming and facilitating the torture of monkeys. 

Both women have been bailed and will appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on May 7.

It comes after Michael McCartney, 50, was charged in Virginia with conspiracy to create and distribute animal-crushing footage. 

McCartney - dubbed the 'Torture King' - was one of three key distributors who was identified in the probe into the cruel monkey torture gangs.

He had managed multiple group chats for monkey torture enthusiasts all over the world by using the coded messaging app Telegram. 

Monkey haters would send him commissions, asking for videos of monkey's being tortured and even set on fire.

The video suggestions were then sent alongside payments to people in Indonesia who would conduct the abuse which sometimes ended with the killing of the baby long-tailed monkeys. 

McCartney would then distribute the horrendous footage on his social media network. 

The ringleader is based almost 10,000 miles away from the site of the monkey's torture, living in his home allegedly decorated with Nazi symbols and Confederate flags. 

Toothless from years of heroin addiction, McCartney - who goes by Mike - previously spent two decades with one of America's most dangerous motorcycle gangs, before going to prison.

It was during the pandemic that he first stumbled upon a monkey torture video and soon enough he was invited onto the Telegram group dubbed Ape's Cage, set up by its ringleader 'Mr Ape'.

When approached by the BBC, Mr Ape - whose identity has not been revealed - spoke of his own loneliness leading him to create the forum. 

He said it was 'appealing' to see 'something else suffer' and a way to forget his own pain.

The lurid forum was filled with polls asking members what form of torture they wanted to see next, whether was it a hammer or a screwdriver being used to beat the monkeys.

The ex-con, however, saw it as a monkey making opportunity. After becoming trusted within the grim community he was trusted to trade and sell the sick footage to other members.  He once bragged: 'I'm building an empire.' 

Possession of animal torture videos in the US is not illegal but distributing them is and can see someone sent to prison for up to seven years. 

Following the broadcaster's probe, Homeland Security agents descended on McCartney's home. His devices were seized and he was questioned but later let go.

He told the BBC Eye investigations team last year: 'I was the man You want to see monkeys get messed up? I could bring it to you.'

Trying to gain sympathy, McCartney said he had invited animal rights campaigners into the group to expose it.

'I tried to do the right thing but I profited. It was my mistake,' he said. 

Since then, McCartney has been accused by prosecutors of gathering funds from his chat groups and distributing videos showing the 'torture, murder and sexually sadistic mutilation of animals' specifically of juvenile and adult monkeys. 

He has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges and is facing up to five years in prison. 

While McCartney was undoubtedly a key figure in the underground network, it had a far reach. 

Amongst them was Stacey Storey, a 46-year-old grandmother who worked at a petrol station and lived with son in a trailer in rural Alabama. But her screen name was 'Sadistic'.

According to the BBC's probe, she was one of the most prolific users on Ape's Cage, charging $200 (£150) for torture videos which included everything from force feeding and putting monkey's in jars of acid.

Her money shot came after she conceived the idea, alongside Mr Ape, of commissioning a video showing a monkey in a blender. 

Eventually, other innocent people had started to stumble on the questionable videos before being invited to join the group.

It was infiltrated by innocent bystanders and a few animal rights campaigners who raised the alarm on the senseless animal cruelty taking place. These included activist Nina Jackel and Dave Gooptar in Trinidad.

Mr Ape, who ran the empire he created from his mother's home in Florida, had reached out to both asking them to stop the monkey haters from around the world and called for them to help 'stop the monkey torture'.  

It later published in April 2022 becoming extremely popular with those in the community with hundreds flocking to the Telegram group. 

Alongside McCartney two others were also charged in the US. This includes former US Air Force officer David Christopher Noble, 48, and Nicole Devilbliss, 35. Both face up to five years in prison. 

According to the BBC, more charges are expected to follow soon for others who were key in the torture ring. Following its probe 20 people were investigated across the world. 

One man in Indonesia called M Ajis Rasjana who filmed some of the monkey torture videos was sentenced to eight months in prison after the investigation.