Locations
Amble, Northumberland, NE65
Description
A predatory sailor subjected a young boy to an "utterly vile" campaign of rape - during which he showed him sick videos of other children being abused and filmed his own horrific attacks.
To the outside world, John Henderson was a trusted and respected member of the armed forces, having served in the Royal Navy for 16 years.
But today he can be unmasked as a paedophile who stole a little boy's innocence in a series of sordid attacks to fulfil his "warped desires" - sometimes buying him gift cards in return for hurting him.
Even after being arrested by military police and suspended when footage of him attacking the boy was found on his phone, Henderson continued to abuse his innocent victim.
As the 32-year-old, of Amble, Northumberland, was jailed for 14 years for eight counts of rape, four sexual assaults and two indecent images offences, the victim's family told of their devastation and disgust.
In a victim impact statement which the boy's mum read out at Newcastle Crown Court, facing Henderson and aiming it at him directly at times, she said: "I got a phone call from social services, the type of phone call any family would dread.
"This is when I found out he had been sexually abusing my little boy. I was stunned and our world fell apart.
"It's as if we are living in nightmare. I keep thinking I will wake up and everything will be alright. I cry every day.
"(The victim) had always been a happy boy but he is different now, he seems confused and doesn't understand what is happening and he suddenly bursts into tears. I don't know how to make this right."
Turning to Henderson, she said: "How could you sexually abuse (my son). What have you done to him?
"What if he becomes a sex offender, copying you.
"You have robbed him of his innocence and in my troubled mind all I keep asking is why. Why did you do it? Why (my son)? Why me?"
She said her son had begun to draw "disturbing pictures" referring to "hate and die" and she is concerned about the impact on him.
The victim's dad added in a statement read to the court: "I was heartbroken to discover the abuse my son has endured.
"I have watched his behaviour deteriorate and become confrontational and I think this was as a result of the abuse he was subjected to.
"John Henderson deprived him of his innocence and he will forever be scarred by John Henderson's vile actions.
"I now look at everyone as a potential child predator and I feel I failed him by failing to protect him.
"I'm so worried about his future, John Henderson has destroyed my son's childhood. He abused my son and took his innocence away and the hate I feel for him is unbearable. He disgusts me."
The offences began to come to light when the Navy police received information and began to investigate him.
His mobile phone was seized and chat logs were found between him and the youngster.
Chats were also found between Henderson and a like-minded pervert based overseas, in which he made various disturbing comments, including: "Had sex with with my little friend this morning".
When the other man said he needed to find a child to have sex with, Henderson replied: "You will one day, try looking at your friends' kids."
The military police officer found a number of videos on the phone showing Henderson abusing the boy, including on his birthday.
In an online chat with another man from Los Angeles, Henderson told him he was "having fun" with the victim, who he referred to as a "super sexy boy".
A police investigation identified who the victim was and when he was interviewed, he revealed Henderson had bought him gift cards to engage in sexual activity with him.
Prosecutor Ian Mullarkey said: "He said he showed him adult gay porn and child pornography involving an adult male and a young boy.
"The complainant said he thought it was quite weird, that it was shocking him and the defendant did it and it was even more shocking other people did it as well."
Henderson was told he will serve up to half of the 14 year prison sentence. He must also sign the sex offenders register for life and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order for life.
Judge Julie Clemitison told him: "He is a little boy in pain who is struggling to deal with what you did to him.
"He and his family have had their lives turned upside down by your behaviour, which can only be described as utterly selfish and utterly vile.
"His mother describes her fears for the future - all of this so you can satisfy your own warped desires. One can only imagine the pain this family must be suffering."
The judge, who said Henderson gave the boy gift cards "in return for allowing you to hurt him", said he poses a high risk of carrying out further sexual abuse of children.
Geoff Knowles, defending, said: "He served 16 years in the Navy and did active service on two tours. He had for many years led a very productive and exemplary life."
He added that Henderson had mental health issues and blamed himself for the death of his father, who died following a fall after drinking with him.
Mr Knowles added: "None of that, of course, takes away from the truly dreadful acts he them committed against the complainant. He knows that.
"He says sorry through me but he knows it's simply not enough, it never could be, and he knows they will never forgive him. He feels shame and remorse for what he put this little boy and his family through and he asks me to apologise."