A man who sent filthy sexual messages to a 12-year-old girl has insisted he’s not sexually attracted to children. 

Married dad-of-two John Brady was arrested when his home on Woodland Hill in Crystal Palace was raided on October 18 last year. 

The 56-year-old had been sending messages to an undercover police officer who was posing as a young girl to catch paedophiles. 

His messages filled 19 pages of court documents in which he told her “12 is a hot age” and that he wanted to have sex with her. 

Brady, now of Gleneagle Road in Streatham, appeared at Inner London Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday (March 7) after he pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. 

Prosecutor Robert Meikle told that the court that as well as sending messages, Brady had sent a photo of his penis. 

When Brady was arrested he told officers he didn’t think the person he was messaging was underage and he thought it was all a fantasy. 

Nicholas Jones, defending Brady, said his client was deeply ashamed of his behaviour and believes he has a sex addiction. 

But Judge Vanessa Baraitser commented that Brady appears to be trying to downplay his behaviour. 

“You continue to deny having a sexual attraction to children,” she said. 

“It’s equally concerning that you try to downplay what you did, calling it role playing. 

“The author of your pre-sentence report suggests this might be a coping mechanism to deal with the shame.” 

Judge Baraitser sentenced Brady to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months. 

He was also given a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order banning having from having contact with female children.