Former basketball star Kendal “Tiny” Pinder, whose career spanned from the courts of the Bahamas to the basketball arenas of Australia, faces the possibility of deportation after being handed a significant prison sentence for his latest series of sexual offenses.
The disgraced athlete, known for his time with the Harlem Globetrotters and various Australian National Basketball League (NBL) teams, including the Sydney Supersonics, Perth Wildcats, and Wollongong Hawks, received an eight-year jail term in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court. Pinder, now 67 years old, pleaded guilty in April to charges of sexual intercourse without consent and aggravated sexual assault.
The recent charges stemmed from disturbing incidents, including initiating sexual activity with a sleeping woman, rendering her unable to consent, and later inflicting severe injuries during another assault. The court heard that Pinder penetrated the same woman with his entire hand, causing “serious and life-threatening” harm.
Despite a psychologist attributing cognitive impairment to Pinder, the judge, Andrew Scotting, emphasized that it did not excuse his long history of criminal behavior, which included previous convictions for sexual assault.
Adding to Pinder’s legal woes, his Australian visa was revoked by Immigration Minister Andrew Giles earlier in the year. This decision underscores the gravity of Pinder’s offenses and the government’s determination to address concerns about community safety. Moreover, the court expressed apprehension about Pinder’s potential for reoffending upon release, given his extensive history of sexual assault.
During the sentencing hearing, arguments were presented regarding the severity of Pinder’s crimes and the sincerity of his expressions of remorse. While his defense lawyer, Anita Betts, attempted to mitigate the circumstances of his offenses by highlighting the woman’s prior consent to sexual acts, Crown Prosecutor Daniel Waldmann countered that previous consent should not diminish the seriousness of Pinder’s actions.
Waldmann characterized Pinder’s expressions of remorse as “hollow, superficial, and disingenuous,” emphasizing the clear lack of consent articulated by the victim.
The court heard harrowing details of the assault, including the victim’s initial consent followed by her withdrawal of consent due to pain. Despite her protests, Pinder forcibly assaulted her with his fist, causing significant internal injuries and necessitating a blood transfusion. Pinder, expressing remorse during the proceedings, admitted his wrongdoing but claimed he didn’t intend to cause harm.
Ultimately, Judge Scotting’s sentencing highlighted the gravity of Pinder’s actions and the need to prioritize justice for the victim. The court’s decision reflects a firm stance against sexual violence and underscores the importance of accountability, regardless of the perpetrator’s status or background.
As Pinder faces the consequences of his crimes, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing struggle to combat sexual assault and protect vulnerable individuals within society.
