Barrister involved in boyfriend’s chemsex death says party drugs are wrecking gay men’s lives
By Ben Kelly
A barrister who was found guilty of supplying the drugs which killed his young boyfriend has spoken out, saying he feels “responsible” for the death.
Henry Hendron, a London based celebrity lawyer, admitted to buying £1000 worth of drugs from BBC producer Alexander Parkin, some of which resulted in the death of his 18-year-old boyfriend Miguel Jimenez.
Today, Hendron told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme that he feels a responsibility over Jimenez’s death, and that party drugs are wrecking the lives of many young gay men.
“Every day that goes past I feel responsible,” he said. “I was older, I should have known better, I was 34 then, he was only 18. It should have been me saying ‘we’re not going to do this’.
“I didn’t make that call when I should have done, and for that reason, and that reason alone, I put his tragic death on my shoulders.”
He describes how, at the end of an average day, the pair had some wine, and took GHB, before going to sleep.
“I woke up and he was dead, next to me,” he said. “I’d never seen a dead person before but when I turned him over, he was non-responsive, he was purple in the face and his face was frozen.
“All of a sudden, my whole world had collapsed from being happy and healthy and being in a loving relationship, to one which had this big question mark.”
Hendron then issues a strong warning about drug use, which he described as a “common and increasing phenomenon” on the gay scene.
“There are a large number of men, in their 30s and 40s, who’ve come to drugs late and are now doing it regularly. Drugs in the gay scene have really taken off. Recent studies show that gay people are three times more likely to take drugs than their straight counterparts.”
He added: “It seems to be the acceptable face now of recreation in the gay community.”
He explained that the world of gay chemsex has emerged through a combination of cheap drugs, and easy access through apps.
“Most of the people who do these gay sex high parties are in full-time employment. It’s not a picture that most people aren’t part of that scene would recognise,” he explained.
Hendron has yet to be sentenced, but he told the radio show: “I may go to prison and whatever I get, I deserve. I have made some stupid decisions and you have to stand up and accept that.
“That’s the price that drugs make you pay.”
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