Child sex offender Christopher Mackie in court for breaching strict conditions

A Central Queensland child sex offender has been busted failing to comply with strict conditions within a week of being released back into the community.

Christopher Mackie, 42, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court to failing to comply with reporting obligations under the Child Protection Act. Generic image.

A Central Queensland child sex offender has faced court after he failed to adhere to strict reporting conditions.

Christopher Mackie, 42, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court to failing to comply with reporting obligations under the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) Act.

The court heard that Mackie was released from a correctional facility on April 24 and as a reportable child sex offender, he was required to report within seven days of his release.

Police prosecutor Claudia Neill-Ballantine said as of May 2, Mackie had not reported.

Ms Neill-Ballantine said when Mackie was questioned by police, he told them he thought his reporting conditions had finished and he didn’t realise he had to report after getting out of prison.

Mackie had a nine-page criminal history and Ms Neill-Ballantine submitted for a term of imprisonment.

“If Your Honour’s of the view that he’s not required to serve actual (jail) time, I would ask Your Honour to consider a release to parole which would see him supervised and deterred,” Ms Neill-Ballantine said.

Solicitor Teaghan Bankier said Mackie was a father of five who was currently on Jobseeker Allowance.

Ms Bankier said Mackie thought his reporting obligations were due to expire while he was in custody and his failing to report was not dishonesty nor untoward conduct.

Magistrate Lance Rundle sentenced Mackie to two months’ jail, suspended for six months.

A conviction was recorded.