SNAPCHAT PREDATOR JAILED AFTER TARGETING CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 10
A man from Aberdeen, convicted of possessing and communicating indecent images and messages involving children, has been sentenced to prison.Jack Penman, aged 22, admitted to engaging in a prolonged pattern of sending inappropriate messages to 19 different girls, all of whom he believed to be between 10 and 15 years old.
The court heard that Penman frequently inquired if the children had any younger sisters he could “corrupt,” citing this as his “kink.” An extensive 10-page outline of Penman’s disturbing conversations on Snapchat was presented during the hearing.
Prosecutor Andrew McMann detailed how police uncovered chats on Penman’s devices after a decoy officer lured him in June 2024.
Penman’s predatory behavior began in December 2023, when he was 20, and persisted until August 2024, ending with a police raid at his Aberdeen flat and his parents' home.
The devices contained conversations with 18 other girls from this period.
He openly disclosed his age and expressed interest in sexting, even offering to send explicit photos.
A 10-year-old girl responded to his messages, indicating her ignorance of sexting, prompting Penman to offer to teach her.
Another girl mentioned having a nine-year-old sister, leading Penman to ask for her contact details and question whether nine was too young.
His repeated desire was to “corrupt” even younger girls and he inquired about potential victims among their siblings.
In June 2024, Penman engaged in chat conversations with a girl named Maisie, who was actually an undercover officer.
During this exchange, he asked for photos of her in a school uniform and sent illicit images himself.
His messages included sexually explicit requests, asking if she or her friends or sisters would be interested in participating in sexual activities.
He openly discussed his kink and admitted it was “pretty strange.” Penman also requested videos or photos from other teen girls, asking some to strip or send videos with phrases like “Show daddy some more skin.” One 15-year-old girl responded that she couldn’t take pictures in class, and Penman proceeded to ask about her younger siblings.
Throughout his chats, Penman repeatedly confirmed he was 20 and showed interest in getting girls to involve their younger siblings or friends in sexual acts.
When asked if she had younger sisters, a 15-year-old mentioned a five-year-old, to which Penman responded with a suggestive question about who might be easier to persuade.
During the sentencing, his defence lawyer, Edward Hulme, highlighted Penman’s troubled childhood, referencing adverse experiences noted in a social work report.
While acknowledging this, the lawyer emphasised that the defendant was not using these as an excuse.
The court rejected a request for a community disposal and sentenced Penman to two years in prison, along with a six-year Sex Offenders Prevention Order.
Sheriff Ian Wallace condemned the offending as serious and disturbing, highlighting Penman’s repeated attempts to involve young children and the lasting impact on the victims.
Penman was also placed on the sex offenders register and subject to mandatory notification under the Sexual Offences Act.
