KEITH HENDERSON FROM ABERGAVENNY AND CAVERSHAM SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES COMMITTED OVER THREE DECADES

In a case that spanned over three decades, Keith Henderson, a retired lorry driver with connections to both Abergavenny and Caversham, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for a series of serious sexual offenses committed against young boys. The crimes, which took place primarily in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, involved Henderson coercing children into performing sexual acts on him in various locations, including his vehicle and workplace environments.

According to court proceedings, Henderson, who was 34 years old when the abuse began, targeted vulnerable boys during his work as a lorry driver. One of the most disturbing incidents involved him forcing a young boy to perform a sex act under his desk while Henderson was working at a petrol station. On another occasion, he coerced the same boy to perform a similar act inside his cab while on an overnight trip, with another driver sleeping nearby in the next bunk. The court heard that these assaults occurred in different locations, notably in Caversham, Berkshire, and in Monmouthshire, where Henderson resided.

Henderson, now 67 and walking with the aid of crutches, initially believed that his dark secrets would remain hidden forever. However, his hopes were shattered when police knocked on his door in August of the previous year, following reports from victims who had finally found the courage to come forward. The investigation was initiated by the Thames Valley Police Child Abuse Unit after receiving information in 2009, leading to Henderson’s arrest at his home in Monmouthshire.

During police interviews, Henderson confessed to carrying out the sexual assaults over an eight-year period. He admitted to 30 of the 47 charges brought against him, with an additional 17 charges remaining on file. Prosecutor Charles Ward-Jackson detailed that Henderson had previously served a three-year sentence for robbery, having been released from jail before the onset of the abuse. Henderson’s comments during police questioning included a remark that “all that was 25 years ago now,” and he expressed a sense of remorse, stating, “I realised the error of my ways a long time ago but there is nothing I can do now.”

Defense lawyer Robin Shellard highlighted that Henderson had made full admissions during police interviews and acknowledged his culpability without attempting to diminish his responsibility. Henderson was charged with multiple counts, including nine of indecent assault, two of indecency with a child, twelve of gross indecency, and seven counts of serious sex attacks. The judge, Stephen John, ultimately sentenced him to a total of 13 years in prison, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the long-lasting impact on his victims.