Barrister Henry Hendron Loses Appeal Over Drug Buying Scandal
Henry Hendron, a high-profile barrister, has hit a legal dead end. On March 26, the Royal Courts of Justice rejected his appeal against a 14-month prison sentence. Hendron was found guilty of trying to buy Class A and Class C drugs from clients he was supposed to represent in court. He claimed the sentence was too harsh, but judges weren’t having it.
Details of the Drug Purchase Charges
Hendron, 42, was first sentenced in June at Woolwich Crown Court. He pled guilty to three charges of encouraging or assisting crimes and one of possessing Class A drugs. The offences date back to 2021 when he tried to buy methamphetamine and GBL from his clients Arno Smit and Ezra Benson, both under investigation for drug supply.
Court records revealed Hendron attempted to procure drugs from Smit just weeks before Smit’s arrest in September 2021. Shockingly, Hendron continued to represent both men during their criminal trials, including at Woolwich Crown Court.
Appeal Arguments Thrown Out
During the appeal, Hendron argued that sentencing judge Jonathan Mann KC should have stepped aside because Hendron had previously complained about him. He also claimed the judge applied sentencing rules wrongly and placed too much weight on Smit’s guilty plea.
The appeals court dismissed these points. They said Judge Mann properly recognised Hendron’s “brazen serious criminal conduct” and ruled that prison time was the only fitting punishment. The sentence was deemed fair and justified.
Past Controversies Haunt Hendron
Hendron’s legal career has been dogged by trouble. In 2016, he was convicted of buying illegal drugs linked to the tragic death of his 18-year-old boyfriend, Miguel Jimenez. This led to a three-year suspension from the Bar. Hendron continued to face disciplinary actions in 2021, painting a picture of a once-prominent barrister now tarnished by scandal.
