Croydon pedophile Trevor Hendley jailed after pleading guilty to child sexual penetration charges

A Croydon dad known among local sport circles has been exposed as an “insidious” pedophile who destroyed his victims’ lives.

Trevor Hendley pleaded guilty to child sex crimes. Supplied.

A Croydon dad has been exposed as a pedophile after he performed lewd sexual acts on multiple children.

Trevor Hendley, 61, was sentenced in the County Court on Friday to a minimum eight years’ jail after pleading guilty to multiple sexual penetration of a child under 16 charges.

Hendley, who also pleaded guilty to multiple indecent act with a child charges, committed his vile acts on multiple children at various locations and times between the 1980s and 2000s.

The fiend sexually penetrated and committed lewd acts on the children including a victim who was aged 4 when the offending commenced.

Hendley, of Croydon, also made a victim commit a vile sexual act on him.

Hendley told a victim “don’t tell anyone” and “this is our secret” after he committed a lewd act.

A victim reported Hendley to police in June 2018 and another victim reported the fiend in January 2019.

Investigators arrested and interviewed Hendley in February 2019.

Hendley, a father of two sons, denied offending but “agreed” he played “tickle games” with a victim.

Hendley also denied offending against another victim but told police he also played an “innocent tickle game” with the child.

Hendley pleaded guilty to offending against a victim at an early stage of court proceedings but elected to contest further charges against other victims at a trial.

The trial, pencilled in for October this year, was abandoned after Hendley resolved to plead guilty.

Judge Douglas Trapnell said Hendley’s “insidious” offending “destroyed” his victims’ lives.

“On behalf of the Victorian community I denounce your conduct …,” Judge Trapnell said.

“It is clear your offences have had a devastating effect on each of your victims.

“The victim impact statements were brave, eloquent and moving, they describe the insidious natures of offences against children and the profound and long lasting affects they have on the primary victims as well as their families …

“This is another case of extreme trauma suffered (by the victims) … for a few minutes of sexual gratification.

“You completely destroyed these young women’s lives.”

A victim, who had her statement read to the court, said she felt “confused, scared, alone and ashamed”.

The victim said she was “fearful” if she told anyone about Hendley they would “think less of her”.

Another victim said they “live in misery” because of Hendley.

Judge Trapnell said Hendley’s “abhorrent and egregious” offending was “profoundly traumatic” for his victims.

“This was truly appalling conduct … you repeatedly debauched these young girls … for your own selfish sexual gratification …,” Judge Trapnell said.

“This is indeed grave offending calling for condign punishment.”

The court heard Hendley was born in Ringwood, grew up in Park Orchards and his dad was a former teacher and district Scout leader.

Hendley claimed to be the “outsider” of his high school friendship group after he was unable to find a girlfriend, the court was told.

Hendley graduated from Mitcham Tech before working as a machinist.

The court was told Hendley was a supervisor at ANCA Bayswater but quit before going into custody earlier this year.

Hendley’s wife ended their marriage after she became aware of the offending when her husband was arrested.

The court heard Hendley supported his sons while they played at a local football club.

Hendley’s offending was not linked to his own children nor anyone involved at the football club.

The fiend said he isolated himself from friends because of the “shame and embarrassment” of his offending.

Hendley was jailed for a maximum 13 years and made a registered sex offender for life.

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