EX-SERVICEMAN FROM COUNTY DURHAM JAILED FOR SHARING CHILD ABUSE IMAGES
A former serviceman, Christopher Graham James Henderson, was found to have shared sickening extreme pornographic and child abuse images with former colleagues, putting himself at risk of a first prison sentence.Henderson was arrested at his home in August 2022 when multiple devices were recovered.
Durham Crown Court heard he made no comment to police questions and refused to cooperate with requests for log-in names and passwords, even after being served with a formal notice.
Forensic digital analysis of the devices revealed indecent images of children across all levels of severity and extreme pornographic footage.
Specifically, 82 indecent images were found, with 20 in the most serious category, 16 of which were videos, plus 25 classed as extreme pornography, 22 in video form.
The images involved children aged from six to 15 being abused, some restrained and showing signs of distress.
Many of the images and footage were shared for shock factor rather than sexual gratification.
Henderson's seized iPhones showed some images stored in the gallery, with searches dating back to March 2020 using indicative terms.
The extreme material was largely inaccessible or deleted but was recovered during forensic analysis.
Henderson admitted to making three counts of indecent images of children and one of possessing extreme pornography during a hearing at magistrates court.
He has no previous record and has an Army career with several tours abroad, with mental health issues reportedly linked to his service.
The court sentenced him to ten months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to undertake 20 rehabilitation activity days, observe a mental health treatment requirement for six months, and register as a sex offender for ten years under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The judge emphasized the heinous nature of the images and footage, highlighting the harm to victims and the encouragement of further production.
Henderson's lawyer argued that he was a committed worker with mental health issues and that community-based support could address his issues, urging a suspended sentence.
The judge acknowledged his lack of previous convictions as a mitigating factor but stressed the seriousness of his offences.
