SCOTTISH MAN CAUGHT TRYING TO PAY FOR UNDERAGE ESCORT SERVICES
A MAN named Jason Neil, aged 53, was caught during an undercover police operation after responding to bogus online adverts for underage escort services.Neil replied to a post on a website that promised sexual services from teenage girls, with the advertisement claiming the girls were aged 14 and 15.
Neil was interested in paying for half an hour with one of the girls and was given an address to attend.
Although he did not appear at the location, police later traced and arrested him.
Neil admitted to attempting to obtain sexual services of a child under 18 between April and May of the previous year.
During questioning, Neil explained he was concerned about the ages of the girls after discovering they were teenagers.
He stated, 'I seen an advert and when I found out it was teenagers 14 or 15 I was really worried.' Neil told police he had tried to contact the police but was unsure how to report the issue and insisted he had no history of underage chats or searches on his devices.
Neil, from Lanarkshire, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court, where he pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain the sexual services of a minor.
The court placed him on the sex offenders' register and deferred sentencing until July pending reports.
Sheriff Louise Gallacher highlighted the seriousness of the offence and emphasized that Neil had no prior custodial sentences, stating she would call for reports before sentencing.
Operation Overview, under which Neil was caught, is part of a broader police effort targeting online child sexual exploitation that has resulted in multiple arrests across Scotland.
