PERTH MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SEX WITH SCHOOLGIRL AND SENDING EXPLICIT IMAGES

An offender named Paolo Panes Jo, aged 23, from Hermitage Drive, Perth, has been involved in multiple sexual offenses involving a schoolgirl. The court heard that Jo first contacted the girl via Facebook around July 10, 2016, when she was nearly 16. Over the following days, their messages escalated from general chats to sexual content, with Jo requesting explicit photos. Jo posted a picture of his private parts to her, and she sent him a shower photograph via Snapchat.

On July 20, 2016, Jo picked her up by car from her home at her request and took her to his residence on Rannoch Road. There, they engaged in consensual sexual intercourse with a condom, and then repeated the act later that day.

Jo admitted during court proceedings to having sex with the girl at his address. He also acknowledged sending indecent messages and asking her to send naked images. During conversations, Jo claimed to be only 19, though he was actually 21 at the time. The messaging included explicit exchanges and discussions about health, which led to the girl feeling distressed and consulting a teacher in December 2016.

Jo was charged and appeared at Perth Sheriff Court. He admitted to having sex with the girl, meeting her with the intent of unlawful sexual activity, and asking her for explicit images. The case will be sentenced on September 11 after a background report and risk assessment. Meanwhile, his bail, which includes conditions related to the girl, has been extended. Jo is a student at Dundee’s Abertay University and currently resides with his mother and her partner. He is scheduled for sentencing and has expressed plans to go on holiday to the Philippines from August 10-22. The court revealed that Jo lied about his age during conversations, claiming to be 19 instead of 21.