Lottery Winner's Tenerife Assault: £3.6m Jackpot Celebration Turns Violent
A lottery winner from Devon has been convicted of a violent assault on his girlfriend during a luxury holiday in Tenerife, booked to celebrate his life-changing £3.6 million jackpot. Sean Henderson, a carpenter from Ilfracombe, attacked Suzanne Childs in a drunken rage at the five-star GF Gran Costa Adeje resort, just weeks after his National Lottery Set For Life win.
Details of the Violent Incident
The assault occurred on January 22nd in room 286 of the hotel. Spanish court documents detail how Henderson, 40, seized Ms Childs by the arm, hurled her against a wall, and forced her to the ground. The attack left the 42-year-old designer with painful bruising to her arm and knee, alongside injuries to her head and face. She also suffered a cut to her thumb during the violent altercation.
Ms Childs described fearing for her life, stating: "I honestly thought he was going to kill me. The force of my head hitting the wall made me fear I'd fractured my skull or suffered brain damage." She managed to flee the room, with another couple assisting her in the lift. Hotel staff promptly called police and an ambulance, leading to Henderson's arrest.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
Henderson appeared at the Violence Against Women Section of the Court of First Instance in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where he confessed to gender-based assault, equivalent to domestic violence in UK law. On Monday, coinciding with his 40th birthday, he received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay compensation to Ms Childs.
Prosecutors had demanded an immediate nine-month jail term, but the suspended sentence is common in Spain for first-time offenders facing terms under two years. Authorities also imposed a restraining order, preventing Henderson from returning to the hotel, coming within 500 metres of Ms Childs, or travelling on the same flight home. Ms Childs returned to Britain alone on January 27th.
Brazen Social Media Post After Conviction
Incredibly, just hours after being spared jail, Henderson shared a Facebook post from the poolside, clutching a bottle of sparkling wine with the caption: "Happy 40th to me!!" The brazen post was cryptically set to a cover of The Rolling Stones track 'I'm Free'. This act has drawn widespread condemnation, highlighting a lack of remorse following the violent incident.
Impact of the Lottery Win on Behaviour
Ms Childs revealed that Henderson's behaviour changed dramatically after his lottery win on December 23rd, which guarantees him £10,000 a month for the next 30 years. She said: "When he won, I thought, 'this is amazing - what a great life we're going to have together.' But it was like a switch flipped. His attitude towards me changed. It felt like the money fed his ego."
Video recorded before the assault shows Henderson unleashing a foul-mouthed tirade, calling Ms Childs a "vile c***" and branding her a "scrounger". He drunkenly sneered: "You can't win the money and not be a c***," and told her to find someone else. Ms Childs noted there had been earlier warning signs, including shouting and hurtful comments, but this was the first physical violence.
Background and Aftermath
Henderson had publicly spoken about his lottery win, explaining he bought the ticket after being unable to park at Lidl and popping into a Co-op instead. He said the prize "changed my life forever" and planned to celebrate with the Canary Islands holiday, buy a house, treat his son, and keep working as a carpenter with more flexibility.
Ms Childs, who has three daughters from a previous relationship, has reported the assault to Devon and Cornwall Police. She has ended the relationship, stating: "There's not enough money in the world to stay with someone who's abusive. I'd rather be with someone dirt poor and kind than rich and violent." She hopes sharing her story will prevent similar incidents, adding: "Hopefully it will stop this happening to another woman who might be drawn in by his wealth."
