The latest episode in Channel 4’s ‘Catching Paedophiles: Crime and Punishment’ series, broadcast to the nation last night (Monday), featured Isle of Wight paedophile Michael Henderson.
Viewers tuned in at 21:00 to follow the investigative work of Hampshire Constabulary’s Internet Child Abuse Team in catching and bringing to justice those carrying out sickening crimes against children. Although it wasn’t stated where the filming was taking place, it soon became clear that the episode was being filmed here on the Island.
Opening scenes showed detectives boarding a ferry before raiding a flat in Alpine Road, Ventnor. During the search of the property, officers discovered human poo on the floor and a variety of adult toys spread around – as well as a number of devices later revealed to contain thousands of indecent images and videos of children.
Throughout the documentary the suspect was referred to as ‘James’, but it is known that the man is actually Michael Anthony Henderson, who earlier this year was jailed for 10 years.
Interviews with ‘James’, conducted at Newport Police Station, made for hard viewing. Island Echo has decided not to repeat the disturbing content disclosed.
Following his initial arrest, Police deemed Henderson to be such a risk to children that a sexual risk order was put in place, although officers were not in a position to charge him with any offences. He was later arrested for further sexual offences, this time relating to physical abuse, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there were not enough grounds to remand Henderson in prison and he was let go on bail.
The programme revealed that Michael had been hanging around McDonald’s, local swimming pools and cinemas whilst on Police bail. Shockingly, the paedophile openly admitted masturbating in public toilets on the Island.
In all, it took 25 months from Henderson’s arrest to him being sentenced to 10 years in prison, with COVID partially to blame.
Investigating officer DS Claire Lyons previously said:
“The images found on Henderson’s devices are unquestionably amongst the worst I have seen while working within the Internet Child Abuse Team, and this sentence takes a dangerous offender off the streets.
“We take all reports of sexual assault extremely seriously, and will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.
“It is so important to us that people have the confidence to report these incidents to us, whether they have happened to you or somebody you know. It is also important to us that survivors and their families are provided with the support they need, and we work in partnership with other organisations to ensure this happens.”
You can watch the episode here: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/catching-paedophiles-crime-and-punishment.
Hampshire Constabulary responds to the broadcast of ‘Catching Paedophiles’
In a statement, a spokesperson has said:
“Hampshire Constabulary invests significant resources into the protection of the public and the management of sexual and violent offenders. It is a duty we take very seriously.
“We are unable to discuss individual cases, other than to say we have comprehensive and thorough risk management plans to ensure that offenders who are considered to pose the greatest risk to the public are managed under the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) framework. This involves us working closely with other agencies including the probation service, prison service, local authorities and housing associations, to actively manage and monitor offenders.
“Police work extremely hard with these agencies under the framework.
“The Strategic MAPPA business plan recognises the need to develop housing strategies with local authorities that support effective public protection through the provision of suitable accommodation. In cases where individuals are made homeless, placements are sought and secured so we can monitor them effectively and reduce the risk to the public.
“Such offenders are dealt with individually, according to the identified risks, and decisions affecting them are made after very careful consideration of their circumstances.
“Offender managers attend specialist courses to ensure they are highly trained in dealing with sexual and violent offenders. Police officers make regular unannounced face to face visits to offenders, where the individual is subject to an intrusive investigative interview process to enable us to establish their routines, behaviours and interests. To support these visits, Offender Managers have a digital capability to detect whether offenders are committing further offences. If they are visited at their home address and decline to engage with police on two or more occasions, we can take action against them through the courts on this basis.
“Prior to charge, we can also secure preventative orders through the courts, such as Sexual Risk Orders (SROs). An SRO, for example, generates a notification requirement for the individual whereby they must sign on at a police station regularly. The standard of proof for securing these orders is high, and it is testament to the hard work and expertise of offender managers that we can secure these orders for individuals prior to them having been charged with criminal offences.
“We also seek to apply for other ancillary orders at the point of conviction, such as Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPOs). Such an order may, for example, prohibit someone from undertaking certain forms of employment such as acting as a home tutor to children. It may also prohibit the offender from engaging in particular activities on the internet. Each order is tailored specifically to the circumstances of the individual and the case they are involved in.
“We also have a duty to prevent managed offenders coming to harm and maintain community cohesion. This may involve conducting Community Impact Assessments for example. Each case is handled individually to ensure the safety of the public and the offenders involved is considered”.
In all, it took 25 months from Henderson’s arrest to him being sentenced to 10 years in prison
…….
and what was he doing in that 25 months, whilst wandering around freely that isn’t known as yet.
I had channel 4 on and saw the first 10 minutes which was 10 minutes too much. Hats off to the people that do the worst job in the world and then see the offenders get a light sentence. Scum like this has no place on this earth
He was in the Green Street Hostel in Ryde for ages.
The Police wanted him locked up on remand but the Crown Prosecution Service knocked it back. They are the ones who need to have rules changed.
he should have been beaten senseless then.
this is what we get for letting hand wringing, lefty do gooders into any position where they might have influence. That woman at the CPS who wouldn’t authorise the detention of this scu mbag should have been made to accept him as her neighbour.
the law should allow filth like him to be executed, as soon as evidence is found – as it was in the documentary.
All too often on here people say that the homeless are the victims, and we should pity them, when in many cases they are homeless for a good reason.
See life as it really is and all this modern day playing down peoples vile behaviour then encourages them to think such is ok, which it is not.
Your family are lucky to have such a understanding and supportive family member.
I wonder how many more of them are in that hostel? And there’s been so many reports of pedos on the Island of late. People on the mainland getting to hear about it must think that it’s a hotbed for them down here.
Why only 10 years, surely he should be incarcerated for the rest of his life!!