Barrister pleads guilty after buying drugs from client he represented

A barrister has admitted he bought drugs from clients he was representing following an investigation by the Met Police.

Henry Hendron, 42, of Old Compton Street, pleaded guilty to three counts of assisting or encouraging the commission of an offence and one count of possessing a Class A drug at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, March 17.

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

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

His 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.

Further evidence indicated that Hendron had purchased drugs from a client he was representing in 2020.

Hendron was arrested in May 2022 and subsequently charged.

Detective Lewis Sanderson said: “At the time of his arrest Hendron was a serving Barrister. 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 been now been made to face the consequences of his actions.”