DAVID HENDERSON OF BOURNEMOUTH JAILED FOR DECADES OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN MANCHESTER AND WALES

In a case that spans nearly two decades of disturbing criminal activity, David John Henderson, aged 54, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses. Henderson’s crimes, which include the rape of a young woman and the sexual abuse of several young girls, were committed across different locations, notably in Manchester, Wales, and Bournemouth.

According to court proceedings held at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, Henderson’s pattern of predatory behavior began when he was just 17 years old. His first known attempt at sexual assault occurred between 1979 and 1980 in Wales, where he tried to rape an underage girl. This early incident marked the beginning of a long and troubling history of abuse that would continue for nearly two decades.

Throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, Henderson engaged in further sexual offenses while residing in Heywood and Rochdale. The court heard evidence of his repeated abuse of four young girls over this period, with one victim enduring a decade of ongoing exploitation starting from the age of five. These revelations highlight the extent and persistence of Henderson’s predatory conduct over many years.

One particularly disturbing incident took place in 1982, when Henderson, after offering a woman a lift home in the early hours, instead drove her to a secluded area. There, he raped her, threatening to abandon her unless she complied with his demands. This attack underscores the calculated and coercive nature of his crimes.

Henderson’s criminal record also includes a conviction for the rape of a woman in Bournemouth. After the incident, he did not return her to her home but instead took her to a remote location where he assaulted her. His actions demonstrated a pattern of using transportation as a means to facilitate his abuse, often in isolated settings.

Following his arrest and subsequent trial, Henderson pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including one count of child rape, six counts of sexual assault of a child, one count of attempted child rape, and one count of adult rape. His guilty plea led to a significant prison sentence of fourteen years and four months.

In addition to his incarceration, the court mandated that Henderson must sign the Sex Offender Register for life. He is also subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, reflecting the serious concern for public safety and the ongoing risk he poses. Henderson’s case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of sexual predation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in protecting vulnerable individuals from such heinous crimes.