Ex-Scotland captain Hendry gets 12-month order for harassment

Former Scotland captain Colin Hendry has been given a 12-month community order and a restraining order for harassing his ex-partner.

The 59-year-old ex-central defender, who helped Blackburn win the Premier League title and captained Scotland at the 1998 World Cup, was sentenced at Preston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Hendry had admitted harassment of his former partner over a period of six months after their relationship ended.

Natasha Clark, senior crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service North West, said: “Colin Hendry harassed a former partner for over six months after their relationship ended after she stopped returning his calls.

“He ignored her wishes and breached boundaries she put in place, using multiple different platforms to contact her. Hendry’s behaviour was intimidating and persistent, causing the victim immense distress, but despite this he initially refused to accept it was harassment.

“This outcome is a clear indication that the CPS will not hesitate to prosecute anyone guilty of harassment, whether this is in person or online.”

The court heard Hendry sent his ex messages from multiple different email accounts, utilising no caller ID to call her after she blocked his number.

When his calls went unanswered, he turned to other means including dozens of emails and messaging her on LinkedIn. After her saying she no longer wanted any kind of relationship with him, Hendry consistently attempted to contact her, showing up to her house with unwanted gifts and flowers on several occasions.

The victim reported Hendry to the police, saying she felt depressed and anxious because of his behaviour. She said she was unable to leave the house without fearing an unannounced visit from him.

Lancashire Police contacted Hendry to warn him about his behaviour, telling him to stop all communications to the ex-partner which were unwanted.

While Hendry admitted to his conduct, he tried to deny it was harassment, claiming he never received a written warning from police so continued to contact her and that he was simply concerned for the affected person and her dog.

He later admitted one count of harassment without violence. Hendry started his football career with Dundee before moving to Blackburn in 1987 and then on to Manchester City two years later.