A British footballer has been ordered by the Immigration Minister to leave the country after a group of brave women have alleged similar experiences of domestic abuse from the man.
On Monday night, Immigration Minister Tony Burke signed papers to deport Jason (Jay) Hart, 34, who allegedly threatened, stalked, harassed and scared multiple women over the roughly five years he has lived in Australia.
“I really wish I’d known about this earlier, because the history lends itself to the conclusion that every extra day he’s been on the streets in Australia has been a day that women in Australia have been at risk, and once it got to my desk, I dealt with it that day,” Burke told A Current Affair.
“I’ve weighed it up. I’ve decided he doesn’t pass the character test. It’s time for him to leave Australia,” said Burke.
“This guy’s got citizenship in the UK, he can go back. He can go back there and he can get on a plane, and until he’s on a plane, he can be in a detention centre.”
One of the courageous women who informed Burke of Hart’s dangerous behaviour was Sarah Fardy.
After signing the deportation papers, Burke personally called Fardy to deliver the news, with Burke saying “the relief in her voice was like nothing I’ve heard, and to her absolute credit, she went straight from not what it meant for her, but what she believed this would mean for the protection of other women in Australia as well.”
“I wish I’d never met him, but I’m pretty sure he definitely wishes he’d never met me,” said Fardy, a woman from Melbourne who had to move homes and take extra precautions for safety after Hart’s domestic abuse.
Fardy and another woman who spoke out, Cara Greedy, both launched a petition to deport Hart.
“Cara Greedy and I believe we are victims of intimate partner violence resulting in protection orders. Jason (Jay) Hart is a UK citizen, currently residing in Australia on a COVID-19 bridging visa. Jay is an ex-professional soccer player who fled from the UK after being sacked from Clitheroe F.C. for his involvement in a negative public sex scandal,” the petition reads.
“Since arriving in Australia, 5 years ago, Mr. Hart is alleged to have had at least 4 separate protection orders and at least 2 assault charges. He has been banned from seeking.com for physical assault and banned from Bumble for his Australian criminal history.”
Fardy said she has a protection order in place against Hart for five years and Greedy has a lifetime order.
“These 2 cases alone speak volumes of the threat this man poses to the Australian community and the next woman he encounters,” Fardy said in the petition. “While our stories are personal, they echo the experiences of many others, making it a matter of national concern.”
Fardy said she’s been in contact with other women who all had abusive relationships with Hart, many of whom went to police and sought out intervention orders.
“I started the petition because I met another one of his victims and her story really, really shook me. I thought my story was bad, but what happened to her was worse,” Fardy said.
“I won’t stop until he is deported … he’s a monster,” she said.
Hart reportedly moved to Australia in 2020 on a student visa, where he played for several football clubs.
Following the petition and Burke’s signing of the deportation papers, Hart was arrested by Border Force and placed into detention on Monday night, where he awaits deportation.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
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