Barrister Henry Hendron jailed for scoring crystal meth from clients

The latest dramatic turn for Hendron.  

A barrister who bought drugs from clients has been jailed for 14 months.

Barrister Henry Hendron pleaded guilty in the Crown Court earlier this year to possessing a Class A drug (crystal meth), and also pleaded guilty to three counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence.

The court heard how police arrested a suspected drug dealer in 2021, who was one of Hendron’s clients in a criminal case. Officers then discovered messages from Hendron on the suspected dealer’s phone, asking to supply him with drugs. 

Following an investigation, the police also found further evidence going back to 2020, indicating that Hendron was purchasing drugs from yet another client. Officers arrested Hendron in May 2022, and he was subsequently charged.

Messages on Hendron’s phone revealed that he had asked to buy methamphetamine and GBL from the two clients. 

At the Woolwich Crown Court, Judge Mann described the barrister as “clearly bright and capable” and “a well-thought-of person both professionally and personally.”

However, the judge said to Hendron there was “an abuse of responsibility” to his drug-dealer client, “and an abuse of responsibility to the court.” 

Hendron’s actions showed “the seriousness and the level” to which he had sunk, said the judge. “You were messaging a client of yours who was later to face crown court proceedings for supply of drugs,” said the judge, “you were encouraging him to supply you with drugs, then went to court to represent him.”

Judge Mann KC sentenced Hendron to 14 months in jail. 

“At the time of his arrest Hendron was a serving Barrister,” said Detective Inspector Lewis Sanderson of the Specialist Crime South. “The behaviour displayed by Hendron, while acting for the Bar, was unacceptable, unethical and illegal. Actions like his can tarnish the reputation of all those involved in the criminal justice system and the whole team were determined to bring him to account.”

Prior to this matter, Hendron was no stranger to controversy. He was suspended from practice for three years in 2016 after he admitted supplying drugs which killed his boyfriend at a chemsex party in Temple.

In 2019 he was suspended again for failing to pay back a complainant her money (although that decision was overturned the following year). In 2021 he was reprimanded by a tribunal for continuing to practise while suspended.

He once nominated himself to be elected to the Bar Council, although his attempt was thwarted.

At court, Hendron’s defence barrister, Sean Sullivan, said in mitigation that his client had a drug addiction and highlighted the impact of his boyfriend’s death in 2015. 

Hendron had previously represented high-profile clients, acting for Apprentice winner Stella English in her claim against Alan Sugar, and defending former culture secretary Nadine Dorries against accusations she smeared an opponent. He also represented the Earl of Cardigan. 

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