Surf coach Connor Lyons appears in court for child sexual abuse case
A Sunshine Coast surfer who asked if he was under investigation for fraud following an alleged debt to clients has put forward a surprise request in court.
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A disgraced surf coach accused of molesting and grooming children asked if he was under investigation for fraud after allegedly being unable to pay his clients back.
Connor John Christopher Lyons made several surprising remarks during his brief mention in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, where the next steps in his child sexual abuse case were revealed.
Police allege the Peregian Springs man committed indecent acts against children known to him through a professional capacity in the surfing industry.
He was arrested and granted bail last year, however was hauled back into police custody days later on more than a dozen additional charges, on allegations of grooming and possessing files of sexual abuse of children.
The Peregian Springs man was then refused bail and has been in custody since December 19 last year.
Lyons faces 33 charges including 20 counts of indecent treatment of children, five of wilful exposure, two of using a carriage service to access child abuse material and two of grooming.
After dumping his previous lawyer, Lyons appeared for himself by video from jail in front of magistrate Chris Callaghan on Monday.
During his appearance, police prosecutor Tara Miles said she tried to send the brief of evidence for his four new charges of indecent treatment of children to Lyons in jail however the evidence needed to be placed on a CD instead of a USB.
Acting Sergeant Miles said an adjournment was needed to allow the 26-year-old to be given this material.
The court previously heard the Peregian Springs man intended to plead guilty to his original charges before he was given a notice to appear for the new offences.
While representing himself, Lyons asked the court if he was being investigated for fraud due to him allegedly needing to pay clients back for his coaching, and said he had no way to do this until he was released from jail.
The police prosecutor said she was unaware of the investigation.
The surf coach also asked Mr Callaghan if there were any restrictions of him writing letters to the families he allegedly offended against. He again told the court he still did not want a lawyer to represent him.
Mr Callaghan said due to the nature of the charges he could not access certain pieces of evidence himself, which made his situation difficult as he had no lawyer.
Lyons had his matters adjourned to later this month to allow him to be personally appear in Maroochydore to read the brief of evidence in person in order for his matters to be transferred to a higher court.
He made no application for bail and was remanded in custody.
Lyons, a renowned surfer and coach on the Sunshine Coast and beyond, boasted more than 9000 followers on Instagram where he regularly spruiked his surf school for all ages.
His account has since been deactivated.
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Originally published as Surf coach Connor Lyons appears in court for child sexual abuse case
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