BRUCE HENDERSON FROM DALKEITH AND LOTHIAN JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF UNDERAGE GIRL IN WEST LOTHIAN

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, Bruce Henderson, a 53-year-old man from Dalkeith, was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of repeatedly abusing a young girl in West Lothian. The abuse took place over a period of more than two years, involving multiple incidents at addresses in Whitburn and Bathgate, where Henderson was residing at the time.

According to court reports, Henderson’s heinous actions came to light when the girl’s mother unexpectedly returned home and discovered her daughter in Henderson’s bed. The girl, who was just a few weeks shy of her 13th birthday, appeared visibly shocked when her mother entered the room, a reaction that prompted immediate concern and investigation. The following day, the girl was visibly upset at school and eventually confided in her teachers and her mother about the long-term abuse she had endured at Henderson’s hands.

Prosecutor Jim Robertson detailed the harrowing circumstances during the hearing at Livingston Sheriff Court. He explained that Henderson had previously pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault, admitting to kissing the girl on the mouth and touching her inappropriately on multiple occasions. The court was told that Henderson’s abuse began when the girl was around 10 years old and continued until she was nearly 13, with incidents occurring at various locations in West Lothian.

On the day Henderson was caught, the girl was off school due to feeling unwell. She had taken her laptop into her bedroom, where Henderson, who was also unwell, was lying in bed. It was during this visit that Henderson indecently assaulted her, an act that was interrupted when her mother returned unexpectedly. The girl’s reaction was one of shock, and she later disclosed to her mother that Henderson had touched her inappropriately, including touching her breasts and placing his hands inside her pants.

Her mother, upon hearing this, questioned her daughter further. The girl confirmed that Henderson had been touching her inappropriately over a period of time, and she provided detailed accounts of the incidents. This led to a confrontation between Henderson and the girl’s mother, during which Henderson initially claimed that the abuse might have been accidental and only happened once or twice. However, further police and social work investigations revealed a pattern of repeated misconduct.

During joint forensic examinations, the girl described multiple instances of Henderson’s inappropriate actions. Henderson was detained and interviewed by authorities, during which he made various admissions acknowledging that “inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature” had taken place, consistent with the girl’s account.

In sentencing, Sheriff Douglas Kinloch expressed his regret over the case, emphasizing the gravity of Henderson’s actions. He noted that Henderson, who had no prior offending record, had admitted to abusing the girl over a span of two and a half years, when she was between 10 and 12 years old. The sheriff stated, “It’s extremely sad to see a man of 53 years of age who has never offended before in his life sitting in the dock facing charges of sexual abuse on indictment. You have admitted sexually abusing this girl over a period of two and a half years when she was aged between 10 and 12 with what long-term effects I don’t know. In my view, the gravity of these matters means that I would be failing in my public duty if I did not impose a sentence of imprisonment.”

Henderson’s case was adjourned for the preparation of a background report, which will determine the length of his registration as a sex offender. The court confirmed that Henderson would remain on bail until the sentencing hearing scheduled for April 6, where the final sentence will be decided based on the report’s findings.