ERNEST HENNIGAN, JARROW CHILD SEX OFFENDER, SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR HORRIFIC CRIMES

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Jarrow, North East England, Ernest Hennigan has been convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of two young girls. The abuse, which took place in his home on Derby Street, left a trail of devastation that has profoundly affected the victims and their families.

Hennigan, aged 59, was found guilty this week at Newcastle Crown Court of multiple serious charges, including five counts of raping a child, two counts of engaging a child in sexual activity, five counts of making sexual images of a child, one count of possessing sexual images of a child, and one count of indecently assaulting a child. The court heard that the abuse involved forcing the young girls, aged just four and eight at the time, to perform sex acts on him, watch him engaging in sexual acts, and recording these acts on video.

Authorities also discovered nearly 2,000 photographs and DVDs containing child pornography at Hennigan’s residence, highlighting the extent of his depravity. The victims, who had visited his home under the pretense of playing computer games and receiving treats such as sweets and money, were subjected to unimaginable acts of abuse by the man they once trusted.

During sentencing, Hennigan was given a minimum term of six years in prison before parole could be considered, but the judge, John Evans, imposed an indeterminate sentence for public protection (IPP). This means that unless the parole board is convinced he no longer poses a threat to children, he will remain incarcerated indefinitely. The court’s decision underscores the severity of his crimes and the danger he poses to society.

Hennigan’s criminal history dates back to 1980, when he received a two-year conditional discharge for inciting a child to commit gross indecency, indicating a long-standing pattern of concerning behavior.

Victims’ mothers expressed their anguish and outrage following the sentencing. One mother described her daughter’s condition, saying, “My child is in a mess and her eyes are dead. This has affected the entire family. My beautiful, innocent daughter has gone forever.” Another mother, who was present at Newcastle Crown Court to witness the sentencing, called Hennigan “worse than a monster,” and expressed relief that he received the maximum possible sentence.

She recounted how her five-year-old daughter had started visiting Hennigan when she was just four, believing him to be a friendly man. She explained that children often dropped by his house, and she initially saw no reason for concern. However, her perception changed dramatically after hearing about his arrest on suspicion of sexually assaulting another child. “We thought he was just a genuine, friendly man. When I heard he had been arrested, my blood ran cold. I knew straight away he had abused my child,” she said.

She described the harrowing process of questioning her daughter and the shock of discovering the extent of Hennigan’s abuse. “The things he made these girls do are shocking. He’s a monster, in fact, monster is too good a term for him. Jail is too good for him, but what he got today was the longest sentence that was possible. To hear that he might never get out is good. I’m happy with that,” she added, reflecting the community’s desire for justice and protection from such a dangerous individual.