Matthew Pemberton, of St Teilo Close, Dinas Powys was sentenced at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court after he admitted to the offence.
The defendant, aged 41, attempted to engage in sexual communication with a girl he believed to be under 16 years old on the messaging app RandoChat.
He was caught following a sting operation by paedophile hunters Dank Dragon.
The court was told that he had no previous convictions and was considered to have a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation”.
Pemberton was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 15 months.
He was also ordered to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity and to pay £85 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
A sexual harm prevention order was imposed which will remain in place until 2031.
Pemberton must register as a sex offender for seven years.
