DJ jailed after iPod-for-underage-sex offer

A MELBOURNE DJ who offered a police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl an iPod in exchange for sex will spend six months behind bars.

Robert Perello, 41, of Yarraville, pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to procure a person under 16 for sexual activity.

The Victorian County Court was told Perello made contact with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl on an internet chat room site and arranged to meet her.

But the apparent girl, nicknamed ozgurl16, was an undercover federal police officer and Perello was arrested during at attempt to meet her.

The court heard Perello, using the internet nickname scaredofmum, told ozgurl16 he wanted a girlfriend her age and that he would teach her about sex.

He told the girl she would be his "secret girlfriend" and that he would buy her an iPod but she would have to "earn it".

Judge Pamela Jenkins said Perello's behaviour was deliberate and calculated with "reckless disregard" for the victim.

She said his crime was aggravated by his promise of inducements, desire to keep the relationship secret and repeated assurance to the police officer posing as the girl that her supposed age posed no problem.

"Your intention to engage in sexual relations could hardly be more apparent," she said.

The court was told Perello had a fragile personality, suffered anxiety problems and mood swings.

Judge Jenkins ordered he immediately serve six months' jail and then a two-year good behaviour bond where he would be supervised by a probation officer and undertake any relevant counselling or sex offender programs.