A registered child sex offender who failed to tell police he had children living in his East Albury house has been warned he might face jail.
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Justin Geisler, now 20, was convicted in the County Court in Wodonga back on March 11 over the sexual penetration of a child under 16.
That resulted in him being made a registered sex offender for 15 years, which in turn required him to notify any changes in his circumstances to Albury police.
That included him not being permitted to having contact with children.
But Geisler, Albury Local Court has been told, lived with his partner and his newborn child. At times, his partner’s sisters, aged 11 and 16, lived in the house.
“Quite clearly he’s looking at jail,” magistrate Tony Murray said.
Defence solicitor Camille McKay asked Mr Murray to consider imposing a suspended jail term.
Geisler, 20, pleaded guilty this week to a single count of failing to comply with reporting obligations.
For that he will be assessed for an intensive corrections order.
The court heard that Geisler was sentenced in the County Court to a two-year community corrections order, then in July was given a formal warning for failing to comply with reporting conditions after he changed his address.
But Mr Murray was told that Geisler had since been charged with the “more serious breach”.
In September, Geisler began working in a fast food restaurant in Wodonga, on shifts every Monday and Tuesday between 10.30pm and 6.30am. This involved both cleaning duties and customer service.
“Within this employment, the accused has exposure to young persons also employed within this organisation,” police said.
Officers went to Geisler’s home on September 24 about 10.30am to confirm whether there had been any changes in his living circumstances. He replied no.
Police returned on October 11 about 9am and were met at the front door by Geisler’s partner, who was holding their two-month-old daughter.
Geisler will be sentenced on February 15.
