HENRY RENDLE: STOCKTON AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE PREDATOR JAILED FOR CHILD SEX CRIMES

In a case that has spanned decades and crossed multiple locations, pensioner Henry Rendle has been sentenced to seven years in prison for a series of heinous child sex offenses. The crimes, which caused profound trauma to two young women, were committed primarily in the Stockton area during the 1970s, with Rendle later moving to Weston-super-Mare in Somerset during the early 1980s.

Rendle, aged 76 at the time of sentencing, was brought to justice after a lengthy investigation by Cleveland Police’s child abuse unit. The victims, now in their forties, courageously faced their abuser in court for the first time in many years, recounting the devastating impact his actions had on their lives. The court heard that Rendle, a former long-distance lorry driver and voluntary worker, had denied all ten charges against him, which included seven counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child.

The jury, after deliberating for less than two hours, found Rendle guilty on all counts. Most of the abuse took place in the 1970s when Rendle was residing in Stockton. The first victim, who was subjected to eight of the ten charges, endured repeated and prolonged sexual abuse at Rendle’s hands. During the trial, it was alleged that Rendle threatened her with a sword stick—a cane concealing a blade—to prevent her from disclosing the abuse to her family.

The second girl was assaulted on a single occasion, but her suffering was no less severe. Both women endured years of silence, battling depression, anxiety, and flashbacks that haunted them well into adulthood. The trauma was so severe that one of the women experienced a marriage breakdown and became overly protective of her children, while the other lost her job due to her mental health struggles.

It was only last year that both women decided to come forward and report Rendle’s crimes, prompting the police investigation that ultimately led to his arrest. When they appeared in court, they faced Rendle, who was now an elderly man, for the first time in decades. Rendle vehemently denied all allegations, accusing the women of fabricating the stories and colluding to falsely accuse him.

Detective Constable Fran Donovan from Cleveland Police’s child abuse investigation unit praised the victims for their bravery. She stated, “The judge commended them for their courage standing in court and giving evidence, rather than giving it via a video link. They had this vision of seeing him as this big monster. I think they wanted to see him now as he really is to try to dispel those memories. Both are just relieved that they’ve been believed.”

The Crown Prosecution Service also acknowledged the victims’ bravery, emphasizing the importance of their testimonies in securing justice. Rendle’s criminal history includes a previous conviction from 1962 for unlawful sexual activity with a girl under 16. After his arrest, authorities traced him from Cleveland to the Humberside area, where he was found to be involved in voluntary work with children and young people.

Judge Peter Bowers sentenced Rendle to seven years in prison and imposed an indefinite sexual offences prevention order. Additionally, Rendle will be registered as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. The case highlights the enduring impact of childhood abuse and the importance of perseverance in seeking justice, regardless of the passage of time.