HASTINGS POLICE SEEK JASON REDDY, SERIAL SEX OFFENDER, AFTER CONVICTION

HASTINGS POLICE SEEK JASON REDDY, SERIAL SEX OFFENDER, AFTER CONVICTION

A serial sex offender, Jason Reddy, 56, is wanted by authorities following his conviction related to a series of sexual offenses.

Reddy was initially arrested in June 2018 after police responded to a report that a nine-year-old girl had been assaulted at an address on Hillside Road, Hastings.

During the investigation, officers confiscated Reddy's electronic devices and discovered videos in which he recorded other girls under 18 years old in the shower at the same residence.

He faced charges of sexual assault of a girl under 13 and two counts of voyeurism.

Reddy, an engineer residing in Hastings, was released on court bail but subsequently absconded before his trial.

On January 31, Reddy was convicted in his absence and was recently sentenced to three years in prison for the sexual assault charge, with an additional 12 months for voyeurism, to be served consecutively.

Detective Sergeant Kelly Yates stated, "This case shows that we will continue to pursue prosecutions against sexual offenders, even if they are at large.

We continue to search for Jason Reddy and when he's found, he will be made to serve his sentence." She further praised the bravery of the victim, saying, "I'd like to commend the victim in this case, whose bravery in coming forward helped us secure this conviction and identify further offences committed by Reddy."