FORMER CLEVELAND POLICE OFFICER JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES
Nathan Henderson, a police constable, has been charged with 11 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child and one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice.The 30-year-old officer appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on July 30, wearing a grey jumper, and was represented by Julian Gaskin.
Henderson only confirmed his name, date of birth, and address during the hearing.
The prosecution, represented by John Garside, requested Henderson be remanded in custody, which District Judge Marie Mallon approved, stating: "I'm now sending your case to Durham Crown Court.
You will appear there on August 28 probably via a video link.
You will be remanded in custody." Henderson was arrested and suspended from duty on July 28.
The police force confirmed these details and noted the referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as required.
The charges involve serious sexual offences involving a minor, and Henderson's case continues in court proceedings.
——————————————————————————————————- UPDATE 28/08/2025 PC Nathan Henderson has since been suspended by Cleveland Police over the 11 offences which took place between July 2024 and July 2025.
The 30-year-old admitted 11 charges of sexual activity with a child, all of which were related to the same girl.
Henderson claimed the relationship with the girl, who was aged 14 or 15 at the time of the offences, had ‘coercive and threatening elements’ when he appeared at Durham crown court via video link from prison.
Sam Faulks, defending, said a basis of plea may be submitted, telling Judge Joanne Kidd: ‘The position is that the defendant accepts that the defence of duress that might have come through in (an) interview is not available to him in law.
However, he feels there were certain elements within the relationship that were coercive and threatening, but he would wish to reflect upon disclosure before he advances that.’ Henderson, of Beaconsfield Road, Norton, also admitted perverting the course of justice, saying ‘I don’t remember doing it, but guilty,’ when he was asked for his plea.
He has been remanded in custody until his next appearance at the same court.
A date has not yet been set.
Cleveland Police said they had dismissed Henderson from the force on August 15, and that he is no longer a serving officer.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Dave Sutherland said: ‘Firstly, I’d like to thank the victim in this case for their courage in coming forward and reporting these offences to us.
‘Offences of this nature when committed by a member of the public are abhorrent, however, when they have been committed by a police officer it is incredibly shocking and appalling and I want to make it clear that these criminal acts will not be tolerated at Cleveland Police, nor in the police service as a whole.
‘This is not what we, as police officers, stand for.
‘On August 15 we took action to remove Nathan Henderson from the force and he is no longer a serving officer, nor will he be able to be employed by any other police force.’ —————————————————————————————————— UPDATE 05-12-2025 Nathan Henderson, 30, formerly with Cleveland Police, received a custodial sentence after admitting offences involving a 14-year-old girl and possession of a large collection of child abuse material.
Court documents show he contacted the girl through an online platform, communicated with her on additional apps, and met her on several occasions.
He pleaded guilty to 21 offences, including sexual activity with a child.
Police recovered several devices from his home.
Digital examination identified over 1,100 Category A videos involving children of various ages.
The material had been saved across multiple devices.
Henderson attempted to damage a phone when officers arrived to arrest him.
In interview, he gave accounts that were inconsistent with evidence obtained during the investigation.
The judge stated that the victim was highly vulnerable and that Henderson had acted in a way that demonstrated risk.
He was sentenced to 10½ years in custody, with an extended licence period of 3½ years, and is now subject to lifetime notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
