STEPHEN HENDERSON FROM HOLYTON AND LANARKSHIRE YMCA SCANDAL SHOCKS COMMUNITY

In April 2021, a disturbing case involving Stephen Henderson, a man with deep ties to the Holytown community and the YMCA organizations in Bellshill and Mossend, came to light through a series of criminal proceedings that revealed a pattern of grooming and exploitation of vulnerable teenage girls.

Henderson, aged 32 at the time, was a former manager at the YMCA branches in Bellshill and Mossend, organizations that are dedicated to providing support and safe spaces for young people facing various difficulties. His role involved working closely with teenagers seeking help, many of whom had experienced traumatic backgrounds. However, Henderson’s conduct betrayed the very trust placed in him by the community and the organization he represented.

He was convicted of serious sex offenses, including communicating indecently with two girls under the age of 16 and meeting one of them with the intent of engaging in unlawful sexual activity. The incidents spanned from August 2013 to December 2017, according to the court proceedings held at Hamilton Sheriff Court. One of the victims was only 13 when Henderson first targeted her, while the other was 15. The court heard harrowing details of Henderson’s inappropriate behavior, including a chilling question he posed to one of the girls: ‘What would happen if I asked you to kiss me? What would you do if I asked to have sex with you?’

These comments were reportedly made after Henderson gave one of the girls a lift home following an evening activity at the YMCA, further emphasizing the breach of trust and the calculated nature of his actions. The court was presented with evidence that Henderson had groomed these vulnerable girls, exploiting their need for support and guidance. The jury was told that the girls had shared their backgrounds of hardship and their reliance on the YMCA for help, making Henderson’s betrayal all the more egregious.

During the trial, Henderson’s defense lawyer, Ian Scott, argued that there were positive factors in his background that might persuade the court to consider a lesser sentence, suggesting that Henderson might not be a danger to the public. Despite this, Sheriff Colin Dunipace was unequivocal in his judgment, stating that only a custodial sentence was appropriate given the severity of the offenses.

In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff Dunipace emphasized the importance of the YMCA’s role in supporting vulnerable youth and expressed concern over the damage Henderson’s actions could cause to the organization’s reputation. He highlighted that Henderson’s conduct was both calculated and prolonged, and that his abuse of trust was particularly heinous given the context of his employment with a charity dedicated to safeguarding young people.

Henderson was sentenced to 18 months in prison and will be under supervision for 18 months upon release. Additionally, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. The court acknowledged Henderson’s history, noting that he had been a volunteer and later a paid employee at the YMCA, having attended the organization as a teenager himself. Henderson expressed that the YMCA had played a significant role in his life, stating, “I had been through a tough time and could have taken a different path had it not been for the help of youth workers.”

He also emphasized the importance of one-to-one contact with vulnerable teenagers, claiming it allowed them to “open up” about their issues, including bullying, drugs, alcohol, sexual health, and self-harm. However, these claims were starkly contrasted by the evidence presented during the trial, which painted a picture of manipulation and exploitation.

Henderson’s suspension from his role in 2019 followed allegations that led to an internal investigation by the YMCA and the involvement of police authorities. The case drew significant media attention, highlighting the dangers of abuse within organizations meant to protect and nurture vulnerable youth. The community and the organization itself faced questions about safeguarding procedures and the importance of vigilance in protecting young people from those who might seek to exploit their trust.

In a related case from March 2021, Henderson, then aged 31, was also found guilty of similar offenses involving two other teenage girls, aged 14 and 15, while working at the same YMCA branch. This case involved grooming behaviors, explicit messaging via Snapchat, and inappropriate questions about their sex lives. Henderson repeatedly contacted the girls, sent a topless photo to one of them, and discussed personal details of his own sex life, further illustrating a pattern of predatory behavior.

The victims, now both 20, testified about how Henderson’s actions made them feel uncomfortable and betrayed their trust. One described how Henderson would pick her up from school, take her for drives, and discuss intimate topics, including his dissatisfaction with his wife’s sexual performance. The other victim recounted how Henderson asked her about what would happen if he kissed her or asked her to have sex with him, while they sat in his car. Both girls emphasized that they sought support from Henderson, trusting him as a youth worker, but were deeply hurt by his misconduct.

Henderson denied the allegations, claiming that his messages were not sexual and that he was only trying to be supportive. He described the girls’ accusations as lies and insisted that he was acting in a caring manner. Despite his protests, the jury found him guilty of indecent communication and meeting one of the girls with intent to engage in sexual activity. Sheriff Dunipace deferred sentencing until next month for further reports, continued Henderson’s bail, and ordered him to register as a sex offender. The court’s decision underscores the serious consequences of abusing positions of trust, especially within organizations dedicated to youth welfare.