Melbourne man jailed for child-sex attempt

A Melbourne man is behind bars after he sent sexual messages to a covert police officer posing as a 13-year-old girl online.

Nicolaos Katsamas came to police attention in December 2014, after he made contact on Tinder with a woman pretending to be 15 for a social experiment.

He was then targeted by a covert police operative, who told Katsamas they were a 13-year-old girl.

Katsamas sent a series of sexual messages to the "teenager" between February and April last year, the County Court of Victoria heard.

He also tried to arrange rendezvous at hotels, before he was arrested.

The 50-year-old was sentenced to two-and-a-half years' jail on Friday, but will be released on a $5000 good behaviour bond after he serves six months.

"There is a strong need to protect our community's young from exploitation as you intended," Judge Michael Bourke said.

The court heard Katsamas, of Malvern, had no criminal history and had worked in the computer industry.

He had genuine prospects of rehabilitation and had shown some remorse, Judge Bourke said.

"I accept you feel shame and humiliation," the judge told Katsamas.

Katsamas, who was supported in court by his wife, pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to procure sex from a person believed to be under 16.

He must comply with sex offender programs when he is released and will be supervised by community corrective services.