A 54-year-old man was caught sending nude pictures of himself to a police officer posing as a 13-year-old girl.

Colin Smith, of Calthorpe Close, Stalham, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child when he appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (October 30).

The court heard how Smith had sent messages to a teen who identified herself as Ava Hilton, a 13-year-old girl, on the social media site Kik between January 19 and March 28 this year.

Prosecutor Victoria Bastock said Ava Hilton was in fact an undercover police officer, and that Smith had identified himself to Ava as a 50-year-old man from the beginning, using the username Fizzy Fangs.

Ms Bastick said Smith sent messages with mostly sexual innuendos, including one message that included a photo of golf balls.

Smith had also sent illicit nude images and asked Ava for images in return, as well as asking Ava questions of a sexual nature and for her to send a picture of herself in a bikini.

He was interviewed by police at his home address, where he admitted to using the Kik social media site under the username Fizzy Fangs and chatting to someone called Ava, but said she had asked him for an intimate picture.

Ms Bastock said this was a relatively new offence, with a maximum sentence of two years, but cited a similar case of Wayne Price, from Barry in Wales, who had received four to six months imprisonment.

Chris Bentley, mitigating for Smith, said Smith had no previous convictions, adding: 'He has always abided by the rules, he's lived to the age that he is without committing any offences.

'It seems to be a blip, he himself still doesn't understand why he got involved in this chat.'

Mr Bentley said it was significant that no indecent images of children or anything illegal was found on Smith's computer when it was seized and searched by police.

'Not only is he extremely embarrassed and upset, he is very remorseful,' Mr Bentley added.

Chairman of the bench Stan Chapman adjourned the case to December 12 in order for a pre-sentence report to be completed, and released Smith on unconditional bail.