A drug dealer who was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison after being on the run in Europe has been fined just £253 after being caught with Class A, B and C drugs.
Heny Henderson, 60, now of Fairway Holiday Park in Sandown, last appeared before Portsmouth Crown Court on 4th February 2022, where he was sentenced to 9-and-a-half years’ imprisonment relating to the discovery of over £2million worth of drugs on the Isle of Wight, as first reported by Island Echo.
At the time, Henderson pleaded guilty to 4 counts of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply, 2 counts of possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply and 2 counts of possession of a Class C drug with intent to supply. It was said that the offences, which dated back to 2016, included the distribution and seizure of high-purity heroin and cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, amphetamine and khat.
Following the initial arrest, Henderson was bailed to allow officers to make further enquiries; however, at that time he fled to Spain in an attempt to evade prosecution.
Police authorised a European Arrest Warrant and offered a £1,000 reward for information. Shortly after this, on 30th September 2021, when he returned to the UK, he was apprehended and charged with the drugs offences.
Today (Friday), Henderson appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court for yet more drugs offences.
It was said that on 20th March 2026, at an address in Sandown where Henderson was given temporary accommodation following his early release from prison, Police executed a search warrant and found evidence of drug use.
Subsequently, Henderson was charged with 3 counts of possessing controlled drugs – namely the Class A drug cocaine, Class B drug Cannabis, as well as Class C drugs Gabapentin and Pregabalin.
A total of 2 grams of Cannabis was found alongside 11 grams of cocaine, approximately 40 Gabapentin pills and 43 Pregabalin pills.
In court, David Fosler for the Crown Prosecution Service said that the findings were consistent with personal use and that there is ‘nothing particularly complicated about it’; however, he urged Magistrates to pay attention to the defendant’s long-standing history of drug offences.
Defending Henderson, Oscar Vincent told the Magistrates how his client has remained on supervision since his early release from the 2022 conviction. It was said that after his prison release, he was put in temporary accommodation where drugs were apparent, and this, alongside the death of a sibling, pushed him over the edge and caused a relapse.
Mr Vincent outlined how his client had been in custody for 4 weeks following his arrest, to which he told Magistrates:
“It’s arguable that he has already been punished enough for this.”
Agreeing with Mr Vincent, a probation officer outlined how it is positive that Henderson has secured stable accomodation, is engaging with drug testing and has secured a personal assistant who supports him with attending appointments. It was said that because of these key factors that have changed in Henderson’s life, he is now 6 months clean and is committed to maintaining a drug-free lifestyle.
The court heard that Henderson has been sober for 6 months and is on licence until 20th September 2030.
The lead Magistrate ultimately ordered Henry Henderson to pay a £253 fine, made up of £85 costs to the prosecution service, £120 fine and £48 surcharge.
