DANIEL HENRY FROM BLACKBURN AND SAWLEY SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the East Lancashire community, Daniel Henry, a 34-year-old businessman with ties to Blackburn and Sawley, was exposed as a child pornography offender following a covert operation by law enforcement authorities. The case unfolded after Henry engaged in online conversations with an undercover police officer, who was posing as a fellow paedophile, revealing his disturbing interests and intentions.

Henry's illicit activities came to light in November when police executed a targeted raid on his family’s business premises located in Blackburn. The operation was part of a broader investigation known as Operation Gower, which aimed to dismantle networks involved in the distribution and possession of child exploitation material. During the raid, authorities discovered Henry at his place of work, where he was taken into custody without incident.

At the time of his arrest, Henry was married, and his online behavior had been meticulously concealed. Despite his efforts to hide his true identity, law enforcement officials were able to identify him through digital evidence. The investigation revealed that Henry had been actively involved in exchanging indecent images of children, with police uncovering over 400 such images and video clips stored on his computer and mobile phone. The material included graphic depictions involving children as young as two years old, with some images depicting sexual acts involving adults and even animals such as dogs.

Henry faced multiple serious charges, including showing indecent photos of children, making and possessing indecent images of children, creating pseudo-photographs of minors, and facilitating child sex offenses. He pleaded guilty to all charges, which led to his sentencing by Recorder Paul Sloan QC. Henry was sentenced to 30 months in prison, a punishment reflecting the gravity of his offenses.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution outlined how the police became aware of Henry’s activities. The initial tip-off came from another individual, who has since been sentenced to life imprisonment. The undercover officer, operating in a chatroom, engaged Henry in conversation under the alias ‘Preston Danny 07’. Henry openly expressed a preference for young girls of any age and showed a disturbing interest in seeing them via webcam, claiming to have two young daughters of his own. He also asked the officer whether he had engaged in sexual activity with his supposed 12-year-old daughter.

Further evidence showed that Henry had left messages on child pornography sites, indicating his ongoing involvement in such illicit activities. Law enforcement officials managed to trace his mobile phone number back to his family’s business in Blackburn, which led to the surveillance operation that culminated in his arrest. During the raid, officers seized additional digital evidence, including more than 400 indecent images and videos involving minors, some depicting extreme acts involving animals.

Henry’s defense lawyer, John Woodward, expressed remorse on his client’s behalf, claiming that Henry was driven by a misguided desire for shock value and admitted to feeling contrition for his actions. Despite this, the court emphasized the severe harm caused to the victims depicted in the images, noting that the impact of such abuse is profound and long-lasting.

As part of his sentence, Henry will be subject to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order and will be registered as a sex offender. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable children from such heinous crimes.