Muhammad Farooq, 38, of Naseby Road, sent sexual messages to who he believed to be a child named Jess between October and December last year.
But Farooq was actually sending messages to a decoy account designed to catch paedophiles.
Farooq was arrested and charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
The charges stated that the communication involved discussions of sex acts and descriptions of sexual activity he would like to engage in with the child.
Farooq pleaded guilty to the charge at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court in September.
On Thursday, November 6, he returned to the same court for sentencing.
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Farooq was given a nine month sentence suspended for 18 months.
He will be required to complete 100 hours of unpaid work as well as up to 20 days of rehabilitation activities.
Farooq was also made the subject of a 10 year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) banning him from living in the same household as any female child.
The SHPO also limits his internet usage and allows police to inspect his devices.
