Ian Hendry, a former dog trainer convicted of carrying out a 35-year campaign of rape, domestic violence, and animal cruelty across Scotland, has had his sentencing delayed again to allow for a fresh assessment of the risk he poses to the public.
Hendry, then aged 54, was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh last October following proceedings that detailed sustained physical and sexual abuse committed in Fife and Perthshire between 1987 and 2022.
The court heard that Hendry subjected female victims to repeated rapes and violent physical assaults.
His offending included repeatedly punching victims, seizing them, striking them with various household items, and compressing their airways to restrict breathing.
Hendry routinely shouted, swore, and directed derogatory abuse at his victims, frequently enforcing compliance by threatening them with a knife and a pistol.
In addition to his crimes against women, the former canine trainer carried out systematic cruelty against multiple dogs placed in his care.
His actions included punching and kicking the animals, dragging them violently by their collars, and deliberately restricting their breathing.
Jurors at the High Court in Edinburgh found Hendry guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault, physical violence, and animal abuse.
Hendry had been scheduled to receive his sentence at the High Court in Stirling, but the hearing was deferred following prolonged legal arguments regarding the assessment of his danger to the community.
A previous sentencing date in May was adjourned after defence advocate Jonathan Campbell formally objected to the findings of a risk assessment report prepared by Crown psychiatrist Dr Fiona Munro.
A subsequent proof hearing was scheduled to hear competing evidence from Dr Munro and defence psychiatrist Dr John Marshall, but the dispute regarding his risk categorization remained unresolved.
Because a risk assessment report is critical for a High Court judge to determine the appropriate custodial disposal and post-release restrictions, the court directed that a completely fresh evaluation be conducted.
Hendry, now aged 55, has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear for sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh on 10 November.
Image Credit – Anonymous Artist Impression
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