GLASGOW MAN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER FAILING TO DISCLOSE PAST SEX CRIME TO SCHOOL JOB
A sex offender named John Paul Hogg kept his past secret when he accepted a job involving work in schools.Hogg, who was jailed in 2011 for a sex offence, was later banned indefinitely from any role involving children.
Despite this, he took an employment offer from an educational IT company that included 'unsupervised' work in schools.
He failed to disclose his previous conviction, and it was only during background checks that his barred status was uncovered at the last moment.
Hogg faced a court hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to a charge under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act.
The offence occurred on March 1, 2022.
Hogg, who resides in Sandyhills, was ordered to perform unpaid work as a sheriff emphasized he should have been aware of the restrictions.
He had previously served 12 months in prison in 2011 for a sex offence and was barred from 'regulated work' with children indefinitely.
The court was told that Hogg was informed that seeking or performing such work was illegal, yet he did not disclose his barred status during employment.
Hogg had been temporarily employed as a service desk engineer with RM Education, which works with the educational sector.
His line manager learned about a full-time opportunity that involved work with schools, and Hogg expressed interest, understanding that the role might involve 'on-site' and 'unsupervised' work, requiring PVG scheme approval.
He completed the PVG application, but in March 2022, disclosure checks revealed he was barred from regulated work with children, leading to his suspension and eventual dismissal.
The court was informed Hogg believed he was not required to disclose his prior offence, as his sex offenders register order ended in December 2021.
His defense argued this was a genuine misunderstanding.
Sheriff Collete Gallagher stated that Hogg's offense 'crossed the custody threshold,' but she sentenced him to 108 hours of unpaid community work over 18 months, citing concerns about the potential risk to the community due to his lack of insight and failure to disclose.
Hogg was instructed to have no contact with children unless permitted by a supervising officer and to declare any romantic relationships or changes of address.
