KEITH HENDERSON FROM FUGGLESTONE RED SENTENCED FOR GUNPOINT SEX ASSAULT IN SALISBURY

In a case that shocked the local community and drew widespread media attention, Keith Henderson, a man from Fugglestone Red, was convicted of a heinous sexual assault that took place in Salisbury over a decade ago. The incident, which involved a 16-year-old girl and her boyfriend, occurred in the early hours of October 7, 2001, along Salisbury’s Town Path, a popular route used by residents and visitors alike.

Henderson, who was 57 years old at the time of the trial and was working as a close constable near Salisbury Cathedral in 2001, was arrested on October 4 of the previous year. His arrest came after a lengthy investigation that spanned over ten years, during which police efforts included appeals on the television programme Crimewatch, but initially failed to identify a suspect. It was only after the advent of advanced DNA profiling that authorities were able to link Henderson to the crime scene with a high degree of certainty.

The jury at Salisbury Crown Court took just over two hours to reach a verdict, finding Henderson guilty of multiple charges, including sexual assault at gunpoint, causing actual bodily harm to the girl’s boyfriend, false imprisonment of both victims, and possession of an imitation firearm. The court was informed that the authorities could not definitively determine whether the firearm Henderson possessed was real or an imitation, which led to the specific charge.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by Rachel Robertson, described the attack as “horrific and terrifying.” The court heard that the victims, now in their twenties and unable to be named for legal reasons, were walking home after a night out around 2 a.m. when the assault occurred. The 16-year-old boy was struck from behind and temporarily lost consciousness. Henderson then seized the girl, holding the gun to her head and threatening to kill her if she made any noise. He forced both victims to climb over a gate into a nearby field, where he ordered the boy to lie flat on the ground. Henderson then compelled the girl to perform a sexual act under threat of violence.

Despite the threats, the victim managed to ensure that DNA evidence was left on her clothing, which was later recovered by police. This crucial evidence played a significant role in Henderson’s conviction. The sentencing, delivered by Judge Douglas Field, resulted in a prison term of 12 and a half years for Henderson, reflecting the severity of the crimes committed. The case has left a lasting impact on the Salisbury community, highlighting the importance of forensic evidence and persistent investigation in bringing offenders to justice.