A paedophile told a '13-year-old girl' to 'keep it a secret' if they were to become boyfriend and girlfriend, a court heard.
Peter McConville, 29, thought he was talking to a teenage girl called 'Sienna' on an online chat room.
He starting chatting to her because he 'wanted to make new friends in lockdown', Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
McConville, from Harpurhey, then began making sexual remarks to the 'girl' and talked about meeting up and having sex, despite her telling him that she was only 13-years-old and just 'looking for a chat'.
He arranged to meet up with her outside Debenhams in Manchester city centre - but 'Sienna' was an undercover police officer.
He was arrested and has now been jailed for two years and two months.
Prosecutor Mark Kellet told the court how McConville chatted with the 'girl' on online app Kik Finder between June 25 and July 29 last year.
"A police officer made an account on Kik Finder. The profile said the girl's name was Sienna, she was 13 and lived in Manchester", Mr Kellet said.
"The profile said she was looking for friends but did not want 'any dirty chats'.
"McConville first messaged her and said 'hi sweetie' and asked what she was doing.
"She said she was age 13 and from Manchester and asked how old he was, he told her he was 28 and said 'what are you looking for?'.
"She said she was looking for a chat but he said he was looking for 'different things'."
McConville then asked the 'girl' if he could see a photo of her, and when one was sent to him, said 'you are such a pretty cute little thing', the court heard.
They continued to chat over Skype and the defendant told 'Sienna' that the pair would have to meet up as soon as the lockdown was eased.
McConville then 'became sexual' with the 'girl'.
"He asked if she wanted to see his penis. He suggested that she could perform sexual acts on him", the prosecutor said.
"He asked her to wear a thong if they met and he then talked in graphic detail about penetrative sex."
Before arranging to meet, McConville told 'Sienna': "If I do get to be your boyfriend you have to keep it a secret".
He said it was to do with the age difference because he could 'get into trouble', the court was told.
On July 29, McConville travelled into Manchester city centre. He believed he was meeting 'Sienna', but was arrested by police when he arrived.
"In interview he stated that he was trying to make new friends during lockdown. He stated he had mental health issues", Mr Kellet said.
Defending McConville, David James said his client - who has no previous convictions - had 'attempted to understand why he committed the offence'.
"He describes himself as being bullied at school and describes living his life as being in fear of local residents in his area of shouting at him", Mr James said.
"He says he is unable to retain any full time employment and describes going alone to pubs to see if anyone will talk to him.
"At the time, he had problems within his household and was drinking more than he would usually be.
"There may be an element here of someone responding to the first positive response he had received in his life, but of course it was entirely wrong and he must be punished for it.
"He himself says the stresses of lockdown made him seek some outside contact."
Mr James urged the judge to impose a community-based sentence, or to suspend any prison sentence, after telling the court how McConville had 'significant difficulties functioning in everyday society'.
But Judge Michael Leeming said only a term of immediate custody would be appropriate.
"You are now 29-years-old and have no previous convictions", Judge Leeming said in his sentencing remarks.
"You have no previous experience of intimacy and seem to have had no experience talking to adult wone. You are lacking in maturity and sought to minimise your involvement.
"You repeated sought to explain your behaviour by reference to your mental health issues.
"I am sure that your intention was to engage in penetrative sexual activity with a girl that you believed to be 13."
McConville, of Ryedale Avenue, Harpurhey, Manchester, pleaded guilty to one charge of facilitating or arranging the commission of a child sexual offence.
He was jailed for two years and two months.
He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be made to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.
