NICHOLAS HENSHALL FROM HURDSFIELD AND MACCLESFIELD SENTENCED AFTER SEX OFFENSES

In December 2017, Nicholas Henshall, a 44-year-old man from Macclesfield, found himself facing the harsh realities of the criminal justice system once again, this time spending the Christmas period behind bars. His incarceration came after a series of serious convictions related to the sexual abuse of a young boy, a case that drew significant attention from legal authorities and the public alike.

Henshall’s initial conviction stemmed from an incident where he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a child under the age of eight. Despite the gravity of the offense, the judge at Liverpool Crown Court in September opted to impose a suspended sentence, citing the potential benefits of treatment over immediate imprisonment. The defense argued that a rehabilitative approach would serve the public interest better, emphasizing the importance of therapy for Henshall rather than incarceration.

However, this leniency was challenged by the Attorney General’s office, with Jeremy Wright QC leading the appeal. The case was escalated to London’s Court of Appeal, where senior judge Lady Justice Macur, along with Mrs Justice Simler and Judge Peter Collier QC, reviewed the sentence. They concluded that the original punishment was unduly lenient and ordered Henshall to serve a 20-month prison term. Lady Justice Macur explicitly stated, “The least possible sentence that should have been imposed was 20 months’ immediate custody,” underscoring the severity of the crime and the need for appropriate punishment.

Following the court’s decision, Henshall was instructed to report to Macclesfield police station last Thursday to begin serving his sentence. The victim, who was under eight years old at the time of the assault, eventually confided in his mother about the abuse, which led to the legal proceedings. It was revealed that Henshall had a prior conviction for a sex crime dating back to the 1990s, when he indecently assaulted a schoolboy, further highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior.

Lady Justice Macur’s ruling also addressed the nature of Henshall’s latest offense, describing it as involving elements of grooming. A report on Henshall’s background indicated that he posed a significant risk to the public, especially to children. The court concluded that a suspended sentence was inappropriate given the circumstances, emphasizing the need for a custodial sentence to protect the community.

During the earlier Crown Court hearing, Henshall’s defense lawyer, Maria Marcellus, a former photographer working in his family’s business, argued against immediate imprisonment. She maintained that Henshall still denied culpability and suggested that a sex offender treatment program would be more beneficial for both society and the defendant than jail time. The judge at that time, Judge Nicholls, responded by stating, “Had you stood before me with no convictions I would have sent you to prison but these offences predate the substantial sentence you served before. Prison would not help you or protect the public.”

In October 2017, Henshall’s criminal history was further detailed. He was convicted of grooming and sexually assaulting a boy, with the court hearing that the victim’s mother observed behavioral difficulties following the incident. Henshall, residing on Hawthorn Way in Macclesfield, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, along with a six-month curfew and a requirement to complete a sex offenders treatment program. Judge Elizabeth Nicholls emphasized that although she could have sent him to prison, doing so would not address the underlying issues.

Her comments highlighted the seriousness of the offense, noting that Henshall had taken advantage of the opportunity to groom the child. The court also reviewed his previous conviction from 2015, when he admitted to indecently assaulting a boy, possessing indecent images, and making multiple indecent images. In that case, he was sentenced to three years in prison.

Further back, in May 2015, Henshall pleaded guilty at Chester Crown Court to historic indecent assault of a child and possession of thousands of indecent images, including category A images, the most severe classification. He admitted to possessing 2,933 indecent images and videos of children between October 2011 and April 2013. Following this admission, he was remanded in custody and awaited sentencing.

Throughout these proceedings, Henshall’s criminal record and repeated offenses underscored the ongoing threat he posed to the community, especially vulnerable children in Hurdsfield and Macclesfield. His case remains a stark reminder of the importance of stringent sentencing and vigilant monitoring of sex offenders to prevent further harm.