Lawyer jailed for trying to buy drugs from clients he later represented over drug-dealing charges

• A lawyer was jailed after he tried to buy drugs from men he later represented on drug-dealing charges.
• Cellphone messages show Henry Hendron trying to buy meth and GBL from one future client.

A British barrister has been jailed for 14 months after he tried to buy drugs from two men he later represented on drug-dealing charges.

Henry Hendron, 42, was found to have messages on his cellphone showing him asking to buy methamphetamine and GBL from his clients, Arno Smit and Ezra Benson, ITV News reported.

He first attempted to purchase drugs from Smit in September 2021, several weeks before the client was arrested, with Hendron subsequently representing him through the legal proceedings, the broadcaster said.

Hendron represented Smit at the police station, the magistrates' court, and Woolwich Crown Court, where Smit entered not guilty pleas in November 2021, according to The Guardian.

Smit was later jailed.

Hendron admitted to two counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting the supply of class A drugs, a similar charge involving class C drugs, and possession of a class A drug, the newspaper reported.

Class A Drugs in the UK include those that are considered the most dangerous, like cocaine, heroin, and crystal meth, while class C drugs include anabolic steroids, GHB, and minor tranquilizers.

Hendron was arrested last May while visiting Smit at Belmarsh prison in London, The Guardian reported.

According to ITV News, the judge told Hendron: "You were messaging a client of yours who was later to face crown court proceedings for supply of drugs, you were encouraging him to supply you with drugs, then went to court to represent him."

The judge continued: "So there is an abuse of responsibility to that defendant and an abuse of responsibility to the court."

Hendron has had high-profile clients, but his career in recent years has been plagued by scandal.

He had three convictions of drinking under the influence and was arrested in 2015 after his 18-year-old boyfriend died of a drug overdose in his flat. He later admitted to the possession of class B and class C drugs.