SCOTT HENDERSON'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN BLACKBURN AND CLAYTON BROOK REVEALED

In a series of disturbing criminal activities, Scott Henderson, a man with a troubling history linked to Blackburn and Clayton Brook, has been convicted and sentenced for heinous offenses involving children. Henderson, who once volunteered as a mascot for Blackburn Rovers, has now been sent back to prison after authorities uncovered indecent images of minors and evidence of online predatory behavior.

Back in April 2018, Henderson was found guilty of breaching court orders by engaging in illicit online contact with minors. The police investigation revealed that during a visit to his residence in September 2016, officers discovered internet-enabled devices that Henderson had not previously disclosed. These devices contained evidence of contact with a 12-year-old boy via Facebook and an Xbox gaming console, which directly violated the restrictions imposed on him following his earlier convictions.

Henderson, who resides at Barn Meadow in Clayton Brook but previously lived in the Wensley Fold area of Blackburn, was arrested in August 2017. He was released on bail pending further charges. During this period, authorities received a concerning tip from the parent of a 14-year-old boy, who reported that someone using the Snapchat username ‘undrawingtiger’ had been in contact with their child. Further investigations linked this username to Henderson, leading to his re-arrest and subsequent charges.

On November 28, Henderson faced additional allegations, including breaching the court order multiple times—four breaches in total—and two counts of producing indecent images of children related to the incidents from September 2016. Henderson appeared before Preston Magistrates Court in February, where he pleaded guilty to all charges. His case was then brought before Preston Crown Court, where Judge Mark Brown sentenced him to 18 months in prison.

Henderson’s criminal history dates back to 2012, when he was initially jailed for three years after being convicted of multiple sex offenses involving minors. At that time, he was 24 years old and had worked as a mascot for Blackburn Rovers, dressing up as Roar the Lion during matches at Ewood Park. His offenses included performing sexual acts via webcam after contacting boys as young as 14 through Facebook, and possessing obscene video clips of children. Henderson was arrested in October 2010 and pleaded guilty to seven charges, including engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual acts, and making indecent photographs of minors.

Following his arrest, Henderson was relieved of his duties as a Blackburn Rovers mascot, a role in which he had appeared at matches and children's birthday parties, as well as assisting at the club’s indoor football center next to the Darwen End. Police seized his computer, uncovering numerous indecent images of young boys and chat logs with minors. Prosecutor Neil Fryman detailed how Henderson befriended a young boy on Facebook, sending flirtatious messages and inviting him to a webcam session where Henderson was seen naked from the waist down, performing a sex act.

During the court proceedings, Henderson’s defense argued that he had struggled with his sexuality and had been bullied as a child, which contributed to his actions. However, Judge Pamela Badly emphasized the importance of separating Henderson’s personal struggles from his criminal conduct. She ordered Henderson to be disqualified from working with children and imposed a sexual offences prevention order to prevent further harm.

Det Insp Claire Holbrook commented on the case, highlighting the severity of Henderson’s crimes against children and the efforts of law enforcement to ensure justice. She expressed relief that Henderson had pleaded guilty, sparing his young victims from having to testify in court. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in protecting minors from online predators, especially those who have previously worked in environments of trust and care.