“HE STOLE HER PEACE” — MUM’S ANGUISH AFTER CHILD GROOMING CASE
A furious mum has publicly named the man she says shattered her young daughter's sense of safety after he admitted targeting the child online.The devastated parent claims Brandon Henderson, originally from Hamilton and recently seen in the Burnbank area, began sending inappropriate messages to her daughter when the youngster was just 10 years old.
According to the family, the messages quickly escalated into sexual communications and indecent images.
But Henderson's alleged plan unravelled when the child immediately realised something was wrong and reported the messages to her mother.
Unaware that the concerned parent had taken over the conversation, Henderson allegedly continued communicating before police were contacted.
The mum praised officers for their swift response and support throughout the investigation, but says the emotional damage inflicted on her daughter remains devastating.
She described her daughter as "the bravest girl ever" for speaking up and refusing to keep the secret.
The family say the child continues to suffer from severe anxiety, nightmares and fears linked to the ordeal.
According to her mother, the youngster struggles to sleep and remains frightened by thoughts of the offender, leaving a lasting impact on her daily life.
The case concluded at court on June 5, 2026, where Henderson was sentenced to a community-based disposal including unpaid work and supervision, and was placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
The outcome has sparked outrage from the victim's family, who believe the punishment failed to reflect the seriousness of the offence.
The heartbroken mother says she remained silent while legal proceedings were ongoing but has now decided to speak publicly following the court's decision.
She said her daughter, now 11, is still trying to rebuild her life after the trauma and should never have had to endure such an experience.
The family hope that by sharing their story, others will remain vigilant and encourage children to speak out if they ever feel unsafe online.
