A MAN who worked as Blackburn Rovers’ Roar the Lion mascot has been charged with sexual offences against children.

Scott Henderson, 22, from Blackburn, was one of several volunteers who dressed up in the Roar costume for Ewood Park games.

He is accused of performing sex acts via a webcam after contacting teenage boys through Facebook.

He is also charged with having pornographic video clips of children.

He was arrested in October and bailed until this week.

Henderson, whose exact address has not been released for legal reasons, was charged on Friday with 10 offences.

They included:

  • Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child aged 15 in September last year
  • Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child aged 14 between March and April last year
  • Inciting a boy aged 14 to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity between March and April last year
  • Inciting a boy aged 15 to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity between March and April last year
  • Six counts of making indecent photographs of a child between January and May 2010 ranging from SAP levels one, two and four

He has been bailed and will appear before Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on May 31.

Before his arrest, Henderson would appear as the mascot at children’s birthday parties.

He also helped out in an administrative role at the club’s indoor football centre.

He was immediately relieved of his role when the allegations emerged.

A spokesman for Blackburn Rovers confirmed that Henderson no longer had any association with the club.

The Roar the Lion part was filled by a number of people on a rotating basis.

Following the allegations, Rovers ditched the mascot and launched a competition to design a new one.

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