John Winston Lenahan pleads not guilty to child abuse offences at Mackay region town hall in the 1980s

The alleged victim was aged about 12 when she first danced with the older man at a Mackay region town hall.

‘I thought you were quite a, quite a nice attractive lady, or girl, however you want to put it together, yes’.

A jury found a Slade Point man not guilty over allegations he sexually abused an underage teen during dances at a Mackay town hall three decades ago.

John Winston Lenahan had pleaded not guilty to maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child and indecent treatment of a child under 16, which the prosecution alleged occurred in the 1980s.

It was alleged he touched her inappropriately during dances in Mackay and Whitsunday and during a drive to Nebo, Mackay District Court heard.

He strongly denied the accusation.

The trial against Mr Lenahan, now in his 70s, began on Tuesday.

By 2.04pm Wednesday the jury had returned not guilty verdicts.

He was discharged.

Originally published as John Winston Lenahan pleads not guilty to child abuse offences at Mackay region town hall in the 1980s