By Tahna Weston
The unwise decision made by a local body modification artist to form a friendship with a 14-year-old girl may cost him his freedom after he was found guilty yesterday of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.
Karl Warner was convicted of seven counts of the sexual offence against the teenager, which occurred over a three-month period from February to May 2021.
According to the indictment, the first sexual encounter occurred on February 24, where he committed the sexual act against the young school twice on that day.
He then took advantage of the teenager twice on March 1, then again on April 1 followed by another encounter on May 10 and three days later on May 13.
During the trial before Justice Tunde Bakre in the High Court, it was revealed that Warner’s friendship with the victim developed after she visited his business located in the Craft Market.
The child had gone to his place of business to inquire about a body piercing, which is one of the services he offers.
During the course of their friendship, the teenager would visit his business, sometimes in her school uniform.
Testimony revealed that it was during those visits that the unlawful sexual encounters occurred.
The trial, which started on October 1, concluded yesterday, October 4, with the guilty verdict.
Warner has been remanded to His Majesty’s Prison, and Justice Bakre will set a date for his sentencing hearing on Monday.
The convict represented himself during the trial.