GoFundMe shuts down campaign raising money to fund convicted rapist's appeal

Crowdfunding website GoFundMe has shut down a campaign to raise money for a convicted WA rapist’s appeal and refunded donors.

The appeal was created by Courtney Lakay’s brother Julian, who claimed he would use the money to appeal the verdict against his sibling.

Julian launched the campaign after his brother, a prominent Waroona footballer, was sentenced to three years and nine months’ jail after being found guilty of rape at the end of February.

Following the verdict, Julian wrote on social media: “The verdict given by the jury two weeks ago is still a shock. We have 20 days to prepare and lodge an appeal.”

Before the page was shut down, it had raised $18,000 of a $20,000 goal to appeal the conviction, Fairfax Media reports.

GoFundMe communications manager Rachel Hollis confirmed to nine.com.au the page had been shut down “as it violates our terms of service, and all donors have been refunded”.

GoFundMe’s terms of service includes a clause prohibiting “campaigns deemed by GoFundMe, it its sole discretion, to be in support of, or for the legal defense of alleged crimes associated with hate, violence, harassment, bullying discrimination, terrorism or intolerance of any kind relating to race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, sex, gender or gender identity, or serious disabilities or diseases”.

Julian Lachy wrote on social media that he would create a new fund “with no details regarding his case” after the initial fund was cancelled.

“I'm starting this fund for my brother Courtney, for those who would like to help him out during this trying time,” he said.

It is unclear if a second fund had been created successfully.

Courtney Lakay appeared in Perth’s District Court on February 15.

The court heard how he raped a 24-year-old woman as she slept beside him in the spare room of her friend’s Doubleview unit.

The woman said she had gone out with a friend and then met up with her friend’s boyfriend at a nightclub where he was out with a group of male friends, including Lakay.

The woman admitted being “tipsy” and dancing with Lakay and sharing kisses with him.

At the end of the night, the four of them returned to the Doubleview unit where she told Lakay he could sleep next to her.

The court heard she gave Lakay a “peck” on the lips but she pulled away before falling asleep in the foetal position.

The woman woke up later to find Lakay raping her. She said she remained still with her eyes closed as she “didn’t know how to react”.

Lakay texted the woman days later, the court heard, where he said he “felt pretty bad all week” and was “really sorry”.

Lakay argued the woman gave consent but he was ultimately found guilty.

He will be made eligible for parole after serving one year and 10 months of his sentence.