JOSEPH HENDERSON CAUGHT IN BELLSHILL TRYING TO MEET 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN NEWCASTLE

In November 2016, a disturbing case unfolded involving Joseph Henderson, a man from Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, who was caught attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl after engaging in a series of online conversations. The incident was part of an operation conducted by the group Dark Justice, which set up a fake online profile named Jessie on a chat platform to lure potential predators.

Over a span of four weeks, Henderson exchanged messages with the fictitious profile, expressing increasingly inappropriate sentiments. Prosecutors revealed that Henderson described the girl as 'beautiful' and 'hot,' and conveyed his desire to kiss and cuddle her. During the exchanges, he specifically mentioned wanting to kiss her 'neck, shoulders and tummy button,' and indicated a willingness to wait until she was ready to take their interaction further. These messages were part of Dark Justice’s strategy to tempt Henderson into revealing his intentions beyond mere conversation.

Believing he was communicating with a minor, Henderson drove from Bellshill to Newcastle, intending to meet the girl in person. However, upon his arrival, he was met by police officers who promptly arrested him. Henderson subsequently admitted to attempting to meet a child following acts of sexual grooming, a serious criminal offense.

During the court proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court, Henderson’s defense lawyer, Jamie Adams, explained that his client was experiencing a difficult period in his life, having recently gone through a divorce and a subsequent relationship breakup. Adams stated that Henderson was heavily drinking and using cocaine at the time, and that he had visited the adult chat site seeking companionship and solace rather than any malicious intent. The lawyer also criticized Dark Justice, describing it as a 'vigilante organization' that sometimes acts in a 'Machiavellian' manner, suggesting that Henderson was encouraged to say more than he genuinely wanted to.

Prosecutor Gavin Doig highlighted that the fake profile made 'rather inviting remarks' to Henderson, which may have influenced his behavior. The court was told that Henderson’s actions constituted a serious offense, and he was handed a three-year community order with rehabilitation requirements. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years. Judge Euan Duff emphasized the gravity of the crime, stating, 'It is undoubtedly a serious offence,' and expressed hope that Henderson would learn from this experience and refrain from future offenses.

Following the sentencing, Dark Justice issued a statement defending their methods, asserting, 'We don’t entrap people. It was his choice to come to Newcastle.' They also pointed out that Henderson’s decision to travel was voluntary, and questioned why he would plead not guilty if he believed he was innocent. Since its inception, Dark Justice has achieved nearly 40 convictions over two years, claiming to operate within legal boundaries while targeting online predators.