Bedfordshire man jailed for historic sex abuse

A man who groomed a teenager before sexually abusing him in the 1980s has been jailed for 12 years.

Russell Henley was in his mid-twenties at the time and would offer drugs and alcohol to the boy in exchange for sexual favours.

The abuse took place in a range of locations across Bedfordshire, including Henley’s place of work and his car.

In 2021, Henley’s victim came forward and told police what he was subjected to.

Henley, who has seven previous sexual offences including gross indecency with a child and indecent assaults, denied all allegations but was later found guilty.

And at Luton Crown Court today (Wednesday), Henley, now 64, from Boston, Lincolnshire, was jailed for 12 years.

He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the rest of his life, be on the sex offenders register, and receive a barring order.

The judge said Henley robbed his victim of his hopes and dreams and that his offending caused the most severe impact on him, from which he never really recovered.

Detective Constable Matt McCarthy, who led the investigation from the Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) team, said: “Henley carried out horrific crimes that no doubt has caused lifelong impacts on his victim.

“Today’s sentencing shows that we will do everything in our power to bring justice to those who need it no matter how long ago abuse took place.

“The bravery of the victim to come forward after so many years should be commended and I really hope this has given him the closure he needs to try and move on.”

Reports of sexual assault, even if non-recent, can be made to the police by calling 101 or reporting online.