A 56-year-old man who sent sexually explicit messages to a decoy '13-year-old girl' has received a two-year community order.

Philip Woodend, of Emmerson Way, Hadleigh, used the Kik Messenger app to chat with 'Billie' - a profile set up by police officers to snare potential sex offenders, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

The father-of-two previously admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child over a 14-day period between January 20 and February 2, 2021.

Simon Connolly, prosecuting, told the court a number of the messages were "clearly of a sexual nature."

In one of a series of messages read to the court by Mr Connolly, Woodend told 'Billie' that he would not need to use a condom if they met for sex because he has had a vasectomy.

He also discussed the possibility of meeting the 'teenager' in a Tesco car park, called 'Billie' a cheeky monkey and said that "cream can be fun".

Mr Connolly added: "The defendant was interviewed and he said he would not have met her until she was of legal age."

The court heard that Woodend has no previous convictions.

Philip Farr, mitigating, told the court that Woodend received abuse and was evicted by his landlady after he appeared at Suffolk Magistrates' Court in November.

Mr Farr said: "This 56-year-old man has seen his life crashing down around him for a short spell of contact.

"The defendant has suffered a great deal of hardship since this first came into court."

Addressing Woodend, Recorder Graham Huston said: "You have got children.

"How would you react to finding out that your children had engaged in sexual conversations with someone your age online?

"I accept that you feel sickened and deeply ashamed at your behaviour."

On Wednesday, Woodend was handed a two-year community order, with 60 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and notification requirements for five years.

Recorder Huston also fined Woodend £100 and ordered him to pay £200 in court costs.