A pervert who thought he was sending sexual messages to a 12-year-old girl was caught in an undercover police sting.
When Callum Drennan began talking to what he believed to be a schoolgirl, he wasted no time in turning the tone of the messages sexual.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Drennan repeatedly asked about the underage girl's underwear preferences, sent sexual memes and progressed to giving instructions on how to carry out a sex act on herself.
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Prosecutor Vince Ward said the youngster's profile on Kik messenger was a "decoy" that had been set up by the police.
He told the court: "Two undercover officers engaged with the defendant using the same profile.
"It was decoy profile of a 12-year-old girl."
Drennan, 28, of King Charles Court, Sunderland, admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.
He told police he was in a "bad place, mentally" at the time of the offences, between January and April this year.
Judge Sarah Mallett sentenced him to two years suspended for two years, with programme and rehabilitation requirements and a £200 fine.
Drennan must also sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.
Judge Mallett said during the conversations Drennan was "not put off by a reminder of her age".
Glenn Gatland, defending, said Drennan has never been in trouble before and has a depressive disorder.
Mr Gatland said Drennan was on furlough from his job, had split from his partner and was separated from his family during lockdown, which left him in "solitary confinement".
Mr Gatland added: "He recognises he needs help.
"What he needs is real help."
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