Ian Horsman, 62, messaged adult decoys posing as young girls aged 12 and 14 twice in September 2023.
Online vigilante hunters confronted him on Dunslow Road in Eastfield, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire on September 16, 2023 and handed over their evidence to police.
Horsman of Eastway, Eastfield was arrested and later charged with two counts of sexual communication with kids.
He admitted the charges at Scarborough Magistrates Court last month and appeared before York Crown Court to be sentenced on Monday (March 24).
He was given a 12-month sentence suspended for 18 months meaning he was able to leave court free.
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He was also placed on the sex offenders register and made subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and made to pay costs and charges totalling £337.
Detective Sergeant Matthew Edwards, of Scarborough & Ryedale CID, said: “Although the offences in this case were committed against fictional profiles and not real children, it was clear in the evidence that Horsman showed a high level of sexual grooming and perseverance towards who he believed were girls aged 14 and 12.
“This is deeply concerning behaviour and North Yorkshire Police will relentlessly pursue such offenders who pose a serious risk to children.”
