Jesse James Minifie sentenced in Dalby District Court

A Gold Coast man charged more than two years ago for possessing child exploitation material of a Western Downs minor admitted he was suspicious the girl was underage. FULL DETAILS HERE.

A Gold Coast man appeared in Dalby District Court on Monday more than two years after police found inappropriate images of a young girl on his phone.

Jesse James Minifie, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child exploitation material after Dalby police located 17 images of a 12-year-old girl in July 2021.

Crown prosecutor Lauren Knobel told the court Minifie was communicating with the girl via Snapchat and she had initially told him she was 16-years-old.

Ms Knobel said the photographs contained sexualised posing, but did not show any genitalia or sexual acts.

Barrister Justin Thomas instructed by DB Lawyers told the court his client had suspicions the girl was under the age of 16 and had made a poor judgement in saving the photos.

Jesse James Minifie was sentenced in Dalby District Court on February 26, 2024, pleading guilty to one count of possessing child exploitation material.

Mr Thomas further told the court he was satisfied his client posed no risk to children, nor a sexual interest and saw no risk of reoffending.

In the more than two-year lead up to his sentence, the court was told of the extreme anxiety and social isolation Minifie had experienced.

Judge Dennis Lynch KC said he was satisfied Minifie showed genuine remorse and posed no risk to children or the community.

The court was told Minifie has been engaged in meaningful employment with his father and has future plans to expand his employment opportunities.

Judge Lynch KC took into consideration a conviction would impact his future employment prospects and exacerbate his anxiety and isolation, impacting his rehabilitation.

Minifie was sentenced to a 12-month probation order and no conviction was recorded.