Barrister pleads guilty to buying drugs from clients he represented

A barrister has admitted buying drugs from a client he represented.

Henry Hendron, 42, of Old Compton Street, pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday to three counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence, and one count of possessing a Class A drug.

He was remanded in custody to be sentenced at the same court on April 19.

The court heard how officers had arrested a man in 2021 on suspicion of being involved in the supply of class A, B and C drugs.

As a result of that arrest the man’s phone was forensically examined and messages were found from Hendron asking the man to supply him with drugs.

Hendron had been representing the man in a criminal case.

Following an investigation by the Met’s Specialist Crime South Syndicate, further evidence was found from 2020 that indicated Hendron had purchased drugs from another client he had represented.

Hendron was arrested on May 3 last year and subsequently charged.

Detective Inspector Lewis Sanderson, of the Specialist Crime South, said: “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. 

“As a result of the hard work and thorough investigation, Hendron has now been made to face the consequences of his actions.”

Pictured Top: Henry Hendron (Picture: The Met)