Strand Chambers’ Henry Hendron avoids jail but uncertainty surrounds his future legal career
A junior barrister who admitted supplying drugs that killed his 18-year-old boyfriend has today been sentenced to 140 hours of unpaid work and an 18 month supervision order.
Hendron — who is a tenant at London’s Strand Chambers — appeared in court earlier this year to deny six counts relating to drugs offences. Opting initially to be represented by his brother Richard Hendron — who is also a barrister at the same chambers — Henry plead not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, two counts of possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply and two counts of possession of controlled drugs.
However just 13 days later Hendron — appearing at the Old Bailey — decided to plead guilty to two counts relating to possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply. Legal Cheek understands that at the time no evidence was given in relation to the other counts against the 35-year-old.
The criminal barrister — who charges £250 per consultation according to his personal website — was first arrested back in January 2015, after his boyfriend Miguel Jimenez died of a drug overdose at his Temple flat.
According to reports at the time, police discovered a number of drugs at the barrister’s home address, including Mephedrone, otherwise known as ‘meow meow’. A subsequent toxicology analysis found that Jimenez — who was a waiter in the City — had died of a drug overdose.
The junior barrister — who has represented a number of high-profile clients in the past including former BBC Apprentice winner Stella English and the Earl of Cardigan — came under fire from certain members of the legal profession last month, for speaking to the national press about the case prior to his sentencing.
Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the criminal defence specialist spoke candidly about how Jimenez’s death was on his “shoulders”, and that since that night, his “whole world had collapsed”. Hendron’s brother Richard — despite representing him in court — also took the opportunity to speak to the press about his brother’s ordeal. Giving a lengthy interview to The Telegraph’s lifestyle section, Richard explained how his brother’s health has suffered since the tragic incident and claimed “prison would break Henry”.
It remains to be seen how this will impact on Hendron’s future in the law, but one thing is for sure — a conviction for drugs offences is not ideal. Hendron was also ordered to pay £500 in costs.