DALWYN HENSHALL FROM WHITSTABLE ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL IN KENT

In a case that has shocked the community of Whitstable and the wider Kent area, Dalwyn Henshall, a music lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University College, narrowly avoided imprisonment after being found guilty of possessing nearly 5,000 indecent images of children. The incident, which came to light in July 2002, revealed the disturbing extent of Henshall's online activities over a period spanning from late 1999 to late 2001.

Henshall, aged 45 and a resident of Whitstable, admitted to downloading a total of 4,928 indecent photographs of minors. The court heard that these images were acquired between October 31, 1999, and December 9, 2001, a period during which Henshall’s obsession with child pornography reportedly intensified amid personal and professional stress.

Judge Warwick McKinnon, presiding over Maidstone Crown Court, acknowledged the severity of the offense, emphasizing that the sheer volume and explicit nature of the images warranted a custodial sentence. However, due to a combination of factors, including Henshall’s guilty plea and the ongoing issue of prison overcrowding, the judge decided against immediate imprisonment. Instead, he sentenced Henshall to 18 months of imprisonment suspended for two years.

During the proceedings, Judge McKinnon remarked, “You developed an interest in pornography at an early age and only recently in child pornography, which coincided with a stressful period in your life at work. These offenses, particularly the discovery of them, have already inflicted substantial punishment upon you.”

It was also revealed that Henshall had attempted to take his own life following his arrest. He later confessed to police that he was overwhelmed with shame and remorse. His defense attorney, Charles Gratwicke, explained that Henshall’s obsession had begun during a time of personal depression and pressure, which contributed to his actions.

Henshall’s personal life was also affected profoundly by the case. His wife was completely unaware of his disturbing interests, and the scandal has effectively destroyed his career. Mr. Gratwicke stated, “He has lost his job. He resigned from his position and will be unable to teach at any other educational institution. He has also surrendered his Ofsted accreditation and will need to undergo retraining. His professional life is in ruins.”

In addition to the suspended sentence, Henshall was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. He was also required to pay costs amounting to £450 and to forfeit his computer, which was used in the commission of the offense. Despite the gravity of the case, the judge allowed Henshall to retain his musical compositions, including a violin concerto and sonata stored on his computer, which could be returned to him.

A spokesperson for Canterbury Christ Church University College confirmed that Henshall had been employed there since 1992. The university noted that he had been on sick leave since September 2001 and received his resignation letter at the end of February 2002, indicating the end of his employment with the institution.