Man aged 66 thought he was exchanging sex messages with 13-year-old girl during undercover West Yorkshire Police operation

Peter Storey discussed carrying out sex acts on the 'girl' and suggested meeting up with her during the offending in March last year.

Leeds Crown Court heard Storey set up a profile on a chatroom website and began a conversation with a girl he believed to be called Red.

Matthew Bean, prosecuting, said the profile had in fact been set up by an undercover West Yorkshire Police officer as part of an operation to catch online sex offenders.

Storey continued to send messages to 'Red' despite being told she was aged 13.

Mr Bean said Storey sent sexual messages and images and stated that he wished he lived closer to her so they could meet.

The defendant sent further graphic sexual messages and said he wanted her to dress up for him and look "sexy".

He also made reference to the risk he was taking and that he would be in trouble if he got caught.

Storey was arrested in September last year and admitted responsibility for the offending.

He told officers he had set up the online profile.

Storey admitted sending sexual messages but denied getting sexual gratification.

Mr Bean said: "He said he was lonely at the time as his wife was ill."

Matthew Harding, mitigating, said the offending took place at a time when his wife had a life-threatening illness and he was suffering from clinical depression.

Mr Harding said Storey has no previous convictions and pleaded guilty to the offences at an early stage.

The barrister said: "He is still struggling with what he has done. He feels shame that he has let his family down."

Storey was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also made the subject of community order and told to take part in a 20-day sex offender treatment programme.

Storey was told he must go on the sex offender register for ten years.