Jesse McGregor

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Jesse McGregor
Portrayed by Ben Unwin
First appearance May 23, 1996
Episode 1929
Last appearance July 26, 2005
Episode 4012
Cause/reason imprisoned for causing Chloe's death by reckless driving
Profile
Gender Male
Residence Prison

Jesse McGregor was a fictional character on the Australian television soap opera series Home and Away. The character was played by actor Ben Unwin.

[edit] Character

Jesse first appeared in Summer Bay in 1996 as a love interest for Selina Roberts. Jesse had been in trouble with the law and had some baggage, being an illegal immigrant and having a daughter from a previous relationship. In time, Jesse settled into the community and began working for Alf Stewart at his bait shop and later moved in with Travis Nash and Lachlan Fraser.

In mid-1997, Jesse was embroiled in a custody battle over Rachel with her mother, Kylie Burton and ultimately lost, after attempting to flee Summer Bay with Rachel. Jesse's relationship with Selina also suffered when her former flame, Steven Matheson returned.

In 1998, Kylie reappeared in Jesse's life and they fell in love again and were engaged to be married. Tragedy struck on their wedding day when Kylie was arrested and later imprisoned. Worse was to come when Kylie died in custody, leaving a devastated Jesse to raise Rachel alone.

In late 1999, Jesse returned to his old ways and was involved in a stolen car scam. Local police constable, Joel Nash pursued Jesse. Joel had Jesse cornered and was prepared to shoot, but decided to let him get away (as Jesse had saved Joel from a wrecked car). After saying goodbye to Rachel, Jesse ran off into the night.

In 2002, Jesse returned to town after being released from prison after having turned himself in for his car crime and served two years and was transferred to the same city prison as former housemate and friend, Vinnie Patterson. Jesse had anger issues to deal with during his first few weeks back in town, and sought help from local counsellor Flynn Saunders.

Jesse began dating Angie Russell but things didn't work out. Jesse was one of the many suspects accused of Angie's murder.

Jesse later became close to Vinnie's wife, Leah Patterson-Baker and they became involved, shortly after Vinnie had allegedly died in a prison fire.

Jesse and Leah's relationship was put to the test when old friend Sally Fletcher and her husband Flynn asked Leah to be a surrogate mother for them. Leah and Jesse eventually broke up after Jesse's jealousy got the better of him.

In late 2004, Will Smith, who was now Rachel's carer, asked Jesse for permission to adopt Rachel.

In 2005, Jesse had brief relationships with Alf's long-lost granddaughter, Martha MacKenzie and Angie's cousin Josie but they didn't work out.

When old friend Chloe Richards, returned to town for Alf's 60th birthday party, Jesse's old feelings from a kiss they had shared several years earlier, resurfaced but Jesse never got the chance to act on his feelings. Jesse had been going down a self-destructive route for several months and the final straw came when it was revealed Jesse had been the hit-and-run driver who caused Chloe's death in a car accident.

Jesse later handed himself in to the police. It has not been known how long Jesse was sentenced to in prison.