Dulong man Jason Scott Hastie pleads guilty to failing to comply with child offender reporting

A Sunshine Coast father who was found guilty of having sexualised conversations with a detective, who he thought was a 14-year-old, has been hauled back to court over a family holiday.

Jason Scott Hastie (left) during his trial at Maroochydore District Court in 2021. Picture: Laura Pettigrew.

A Sunshine Coast dad who tried to procure a 14-year-old girl for sex online has breached child offender conditions by travelling interstate without giving enough notice to police.

Jason Scott Hastie admitted in Maroochydore Magistrates Court this week he failed to comply with his reporting conditions which were in place to protect children in the community after he went on a family holiday and only gave a day’s notice.

The Dulong man was bound by these conditions after he was convicted at trial in 2021 of using the internet to procure a child under 16 and grooming a child under 16 with intent to expose to indecent matter.

Maroochydore District Court heard during the trial Hastie planned to meet an undercover police officer, who he believed was a 14-year-old girl, after having online sexual conversations with her between December 28, 2019 and January 16, 2020.

The Dulong resident pleaded not guilty, with the trial hearing how Hastie had sexual conversations with the girl over a number of social media platforms.

Hastie persistently asked for naked photos, sent a photo of his penis, messaged a video of himself masturbating and planned to meet the girl and engage in sexual acts with her.

Hastie (right) arriving to his trial in 2021 with a woman. Picture: Laura Pettigrew

Crown prosecutor John Cahill said during the trial Hastie suggested meeting the undercover officer “at the North Shore to the other side of the Maroochy River just in the bush.”

During the trial Hastie claimed his conversations and plans to meet the girl were all a “fantasy” he created to ease sexual frustration.

He was, however, found guilty of both offences, and pleaded guilty to possessing child exploitation material. He was sentenced to 18-months’ jail, suspended for two years after six months.

The Dulong man was also subject to a probation order for 18 months after his release and was a reportable offender under the Child Protection Act for five years.

Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris told the court this week Hastie must abide by a number of obligations due to being a reportable offender. This included giving seven days notice if he intended to leave Queensland for more than two days.

Hastie was found guilty of using the internet to procure children under 16 and grooming a child under 16 years with intent to expose to indecent matter. Picture: David Clark

Sergeant Grigoris said this was necessary for police to assess the travel and if sufficient notice was needed regarding children he may have contact with.

The court heard on May 1, Hastie told the court registry he was heading to NSW from May 2—12 for a family holiday.

The police prosecutor said new obligations were given to Hastie on September 13, 2023, where the issue of interstate travel was raised by the 53-year-old who was told three times what his requirements were.

Sergeant Grigoris said Hastie was given a formal caution for criminal compliance in 2023, with a further caution deemed to be ineffective.

He was spoken to by police on June 1 and was charged.

The police prosecutor said it was a “reasonably serious” breach of his reporting conditions.

Duty lawyer Cherisse Breese said the Dulong man always complied with the orders of the court including bail conditions, probation and his suspended sentence.

Ms Breese said he accepted didn’t give enough time for notice and familiarised himself again with his obligations

Magistrate Rod Madsen if he continued to breach his reporting conditions, the consequences would “increase very quickly”.

Hastie pleaded guilty to failing to comply with his reporting conditions and was fined $1000.

Originally published as Dulong man Jason Scott Hastie pleads guilty to failing to comply with child offender reporting