WARNING: Graphic content A once promising rugby player and former cheerleader found guilty of engaging in sexual acts with an underage teenager has been sentenced to jail. However, he has been released on bail after his lawyers lodged a notice of intention to appeal. Connor Lind appeared before the Downing Centre District Court on Friday to be sentenced after he was found guilty by a jury of two counts of sexual intercourse with a child and one count of intentionally sexually touching a child.
The jury, which deliberated for eight days, found Lind not guilty of another count of sexual intercourse with a child, relating to the same teenager. He was also found not guilty of another count of sexual intercourse with a child relating to a separate complainant. Lind was found guilty of having placed his hand on the stomach and inner thigh of his 14-year-old victim as well engaging in oral sex and digital sex with her.
He was acquitted by the jury of having anal sex with the girl and putting his hand down the pants of a separate 15-year-old. The 23-year-old denied the sexual acts with the 14-year-old ever occurred and told the jury in his evidence that he had kissed her but “cut it off” when it got too heated because he claimed he wanted to respect her wish to wait until marriage. However, Judge John Pickering said Lind’s version was “utterly rejected by the jury”.
The court was told that his victim – who cannot be identified – was 14 and 15 at the time of the offences.
