Mark Wesley Liggins, 47, admitted to nine counts of using chat software to either procure a child to engage in sexual activity or with intent to expose a child to indecent matter.

Four of the charges related to a child he believed to be under 13 years old.

Despite denying he was sexually attracted to children, Liggins admitted to engaging minors in explicit sexual conversations and encouraging them to send naked, sexualised images of themselves.

He also sent them explicit photographs of himself.

District Court Judge Mark Herron said Liggins was “seeking young girls to sexually offend against” and was motivated by his “own sexual gratification”.

“Your offending only ceased after police learned of your offending and you were arrested,” Judge Herron said.

“There were five victims, that is five young girls against whom you offended.”

A psychological report said Liggins had “difficulties expressing genuine victim empathy and had little insight regarding the impact of such behaviour on the victims”.

The psychologist recommended Liggins would benefit from being assessed for a sex offender program and individual counselling.

Liggins’ sentence was reduced after he agreed to provide statements against a man accused of offences involving his daughter.

However, the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty before Liggins was required to give evidence.

Liggins, who has recently started a relationship with a mother of five, will be eligible for parole after serving 13 and a half months in prison.

He had been the target of vigilante attacks and had moved house after his windows were smashed.