Court hears how Sunderland man asked decoy schoolgirl, 14, for pics of feet

Andrew Bailey befriended a Facebook user and questioned her about the colour of her socks and asked if he could see them.

Newcastle Crown Court heard he continued the conversation after being told the she was 14, asked about her shoes and requested a picture of her feet.

Bailey referred to "sexy feet" and claimed "feet make him h*****" as the chat and images he sent became more sexual.

The court heard it was an adult woman who had set up the fake child profile to catch online offenders and the messages were sent to the police.

Bailey, 44, of Ryhope Street, Sunderland, admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

The court heard he has never been in trouble before, worked as a warehouse operator and lived in Germany until he developed health problems.

Mr Recorder Christopher Rose sentenced him to 14 months suspended for two years with rehabilitation and mental health treatment requirement and 90 days alcohol abstinence monitoring.

Bailey was ordered to sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for seven years.

Recorder Rose said: "The child in fact wasn't a child but a decoy set up by people who seek to entrap people like you trying to engage in sexual conversations and also sexual activity with children."