WILLIAM HENDERSON

SOUTH SHIELDS MAN JAILED FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS OF CHILD SEX ABUSE

A man identified as William Henderson, aged 51 and from South Shields, has been sentenced to four years and ten months in prison after admitting to child sex offences.

Henderson was found guilty of groping two children nearly three decades apart, first in the 1990s and then several years ago, as reported by Newcastle Crown Court.

His initial denial was later dropped when he admitted to indecent and sexual assaulting a child under 13 on the day his trial was set to commence.

The court heard emotional testimony from the first victim, who expressed ongoing feelings of shame and grief, describing how the abuse has left them struggling to maintain relationships and still plagued by nightmares.

The victim's feelings of guilt were acknowledged by the court, emphasizing the profound and lifelong impacts of Henderson's actions.

The mother of the second victim praised her child's courage for coming forward, highlighting the loss of innocence and trust, and reinforcing that the abuse was 'unforgivable.' Judge Amanda Rippon confirmed that Henderson groomed his first victim and stated that there is no sentence adequate to compensate for what he took from his victims.

As part of his sentence, Henderson is required to sign the sex offenders register for life and is subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order preventing him from being alone with children.

Henderson's heinous acts have caused significant and lasting damage, and the court highlighted the severity and unacceptability of his crimes.