NSW: Lawyer who sought child sex a "Jekyll and Hyde" character

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2006
NSW: Lawyer who sought child sex a "Jekyll and Hyde" character

A Sydney judge says a respected lawyer .. jailed for seeking sex with children over
a telephone chat line .. is a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde character.

The District Court was told yesterday MICHAEL JOHN POYNDER was a universally admired
lawyer with a leading law firm .. but frequently paid for sex .. and fantasised about
bestiality .. incest and rape.

51-year-old POYNDER has been jailed for a year and three months for two offences.



Police began intercepting POYNDER's phone calls after being tipped off by a prostitute
with whom he discussed having sex with young girls.

On May 31 .. POYNDER used the Hot Gozzip chat service to arrange sex with a 15-year-old
boy .. but their meeting never took place.

On June 15 he offered 200 dollars to have sex with an undercover policewoman posing
as a 15-year-old girl.

POYNDER was arrested when he turned up to meet her .. carrying condoms .. lubricant
.. and 236 dollars in cash.

He resigned as special counsel with Minter Ellison after his arrest .. and now faces
the prospect of being found unfit to practise law.

AAP RTV ka/hn/ibw/tm/wz/psm/

KEYWORD: POYNDER (SYDNEY)

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