Former Windsor Spitfire Ben Johnson has been released on bail after he was found guilty of sexual assault.
Johnson, 22, was convicted of sexually assaulting a girl, who was 16 at the time, at the former Mynt Nightclub in Windsor on March 17, 2013.
His bail was set $27,500.
It required more money be deposited with the court.
“He had two sureties that have been supervising his release for the last 3.5 years,” says defence lawyer Evan Weber. “They are continuing to do that, for the next several months, they've pledged amounts which stood at $7,500, individually, each of those parties agreed to double that amount.”
Plus Ben Johnson's family gave the court $12,500 in cash, to guarantee his release.
While he awaits sentencing, Johnson must leave Essex County except for meeting with his lawyer.
He can't go to bars, but is allowed to drink alcohol. He can't associate with the victim, her family or the two key witnesses in the trial.
In spite of the conviction and the prospect of facing jail time, Weber says his client still isn't giving up on his professional career.
“He's going to continue to train, obviously he's going to have to deal with this before determining where his future is going to be,” says Weber.
The New Jersey Devils started the process of ending Ben Johnson’s contract on Thursday after learning of the conviction.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct.24.
CTV’s Michelle Maluske was in court:
