By Latrishka Thomas
The sentencing hearing for body modification artist Karl Warner was adjourned yesterday, but not before the convicted criminal made a last-ditch effort to block the publication of his identity.
Last month, Warner was found guilty of seven counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl over a three-month period in 2021. The artist had befriended the teenage victim after she visited his business, where he offers body piercing services, to inquire about a procedure.
During the trial before Justice Tunde Bakre in the High Court, it was revealed that Warner’s inappropriate relationship with the underage girl developed during her visits to his workplace, sometimes while she was still in her school uniform. The court heard evidence of multiple sexual encounters between Warner and the victim, with the first incident occurring on February 24, 2021.
Now facing sentencing, Warner – who represented himself throughout the trial – argued that the media has violated Section 29 of the Sexual Offences Act by publicizing his name and picture. This law typically prohibits the identification of both the accused and the complainant in such cases.
However, Attorney Wendel Alexander, who was present but not directly involved in the proceedings, read the relevant statute to the court.
He clarified that the anonymity protections no longer apply after a conviction, as is the case with Warner.
Despite Warner’s objections that this violated his constitutional rights, the judge ultimately adjourned the sentencing hearing until November 26.
The convicted body modification artist indicated he plans to file some sort of documentation in an attempt to prevent the publication of his identity.
