GEORGE HENDERSON CAUGHT AT LOCH NESS IN SEX OFFENDER CASE INVOLVING KILMARNOCK AND DERBY DECOYS

In a serious case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, George Henderson, aged 63, a resident of Abertarff Place in the picturesque village of Loch Ness, faced the Inverness Sheriff Court to answer for multiple sexual offences. Henderson admitted to engaging in inappropriate and illegal online communications with three women, all of whom he believed to be teenage girls aged 13 and 14. These exchanges involved explicit messages and photographs, which Henderson sent via Facebook Messenger, revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

The court was informed that these offences occurred over a span of nearly two months, from January 9, 2021, to March 8, 2021. Henderson’s interactions were initiated with two decoys from the Kilmarnock-based group Forbidden Scotland and one from Derby-based STOP. Both organizations had set up these decoys as part of their efforts to combat online child exploitation, and they subsequently submitted detailed reports and evidence to the police regarding Henderson’s conduct.

Following the reports, law enforcement authorities acted swiftly. On April 12, 2021, officers executed a search warrant at Henderson’s residence. During the search, they seized his mobile phone, which contained the incriminating evidence—messages, images, and other digital material that confirmed his involvement in the offences. The evidence included comments from Henderson about the “girls’” body parts, including references to genitalia, as well as messages about kissing and sexual activity. He also sent explicit images, including photographs of naked women and male genitalia, to the decoys.

What alarmed investigators was Henderson’s apparent lack of effort to conceal his identity or his age. He used a profile under his own name and even indicated to at least one of the decoys that he was 60 years old. When questioned by officers at the time of his arrest, Henderson reportedly admitted, “I know there are young girls on my computer.” Furthermore, he confided in his wife that he had been “talking to young girls online,” revealing a troubling awareness of his actions.

During the court proceedings, Sheriff Sara Matheson was informed of Henderson’s admission and the evidence against him. The court heard that Henderson’s actions had been thoroughly documented by the decoys’ organizations, which played a crucial role in bringing the case to court. The prosecution’s case was presented by fiscal depute David Morton, who detailed the nature of Henderson’s online conversations and the explicit content involved.

Henderson’s defence solicitor, Duncan Henderson (no relation), chose to reserve comments until the sentencing hearing. However, he did submit a letter from the defendant’s general practitioner, which was handed over to the sheriff for consideration. The court decided to defer sentencing until March 22, 2022, to allow for a background report, an assessment of Henderson’s suitability for a restriction of liberty order, and his potential participation in a sex offenders rehabilitation programme.

In the meantime, Sheriff Sara Matheson ordered Henderson to be placed on the sex offenders register, a measure that underscores the seriousness of his offences and the ongoing risk he poses. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and community organizations to combat online child exploitation and protect vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior.