A Spalding pensioner who admitted sexually touching an under-age girl and sending her inappropriate messages was given a suspended jail sentence on Monday.
Alan Hares, 78, was interviewed by the police after the matters were reported by the victim in May last year.
Lincoln Crown Court heard Hares used the social media application Snapchat to send the complainant persistent messages.
Clarkson Baptiste, prosecuting, said the comments became inappropriate after a short period of time.
They included a message to “get out of those tights” and other requests for a goodnight kiss.
Mr Baptiste said the victim also reported one incident where Hares touched her thigh high up on her leg.
“She felt shivers up her spine,” Mr Baptiste added.
When police examined a phone belonging to Hares they found one prohibited photograph of a child and an image of extreme pornography.
An impact statement from the victim, who can not be named to protect her anonymity, was read out in court.
She described continuing to feel distressed.
During his first police interview Hares admitted sending the victim sexual messages. In a later interview Hares denied any knowledge of the images on his phone.
Hares, of Hampton Close, Spalding, admitted single charges of sexual assault of a child, sexual communication with a child, possessing a prohibited image of a child and possessing extreme pornography.
In mitigation the court heard Hares had no relevant previous convictions and was remorseful.
Passing sentence Recorder Anna Trussler told Hares she had noted the impact statement of the victim.
Recorder Trussler said: “No doubt this is something that is going to stay with her for a very long time or the rest of her life.”
“It is difficult to see why you behaved the way you did,” Recorder Trussler explained.
But Recorder Trussler said the lack of previous convictions and his remorse meant she was satisfied Hares could be managed in the community.
Hares was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.
He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and a restraining order which prevents any contact with the victim.
