James Moss was jailed in the Adelaide District Court for grooming a 13-year-old girl on Kik

A tradie cried as he was jailed for making sickening comments to a 13-year-old girl he wanted to pick up from school. Little did he know who he was really chatting to.

A construction worker who believed he was chatting to a 13-year-old girl online and made vile sexual suggestions has been jailed, still insisting he is not attracted to children.

James Sebastian Moss, 28, was visibly distraught in the Adelaide District Court on Friday as he was sent to prison for his predatory behaviour.

James Moss was jailed in the Adelaide District Court on Friday. Photo: Facebook

The court heard Moss started a conversation with a covert police officer on Kik, who was posing as a 13-year-old girl in a group called “adult teens”.

“During the conversation you made reference to the size of your penis and how she would not be disappointed,” Judge Joanne Tracey said during sentencing.

Moss communicated with the police officer while she claimed to be at school in October, 2019.

“When it was suggested to you that her mother would kill her if she knew she was talking to you, you stated ‘let’s maybe try and keep it a secret for as long as possible’,” Judge Tracey said.

“You went on to tell her that if she didn’t say a thing you could give her everything she ever wanted.”

The court heard Moss offered to pick the girl up from school on another occasion.

“You discussed various sexual activities, clearly indicating that you wanted to engage in them with her,” Judge Tracey said.

The court heard Moss then made plans for the girl to come over and asked her if she would be wearing her summer school dress.

Police attended Moss’ address on the day of the meeting and found no one there.

They located Moss at his girlfriend’s house and when interviewed, he claimed it was a mistake.

Moss, of Payneham, had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity.

The court heard the three charges meant Moss was classified as “a serious, repeat offender” and no jail term could be suspended.

During submissions last month, Nick Vadasz, for Moss, pushed for a good-behaviour bond – the only other sentencing option available – taking into account that Moss had no prior criminal history and the fact he never attended a meeting with his purported victim.

The court heard Moss went on a downward spiral after losing his father and his former partner and turned to alcohol and drugs.

“You excelled in football but had a serious injury which meant an end to that dream as a career,” Judge Tracey said.

The court heard Moss, a construction worker, was distressed by his offending and wanted professional help but denied any attraction to children.

“Your offending behaviour was clearly premeditated, involving planning and you were grooming the victim by giving her positive social attention,” Judge Tracey said.

“Your offending was clearly motivated by sexual self-gratification without any consideration regarding the victim’s welfare.”

Judge Tracey said Moss’ offending was too serious for a good-behaviour bond.

Moss was sentenced to one year and two months in jail, with a non-parole period of 11 months.