An NHS worker who travelled to Southampton to have sex with a teenage boy fainted when police met him, a court heard.
Robin Hains was arrested during a police sting in Shirley.
The 47-year-old had travelled along the south coast, from Bognor Regis, in the hope of abusing a 13-year-old.
According to police, he used an online messaging platform to brag about his plans to another man in March last year.
Appearing at Southampton Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and making indecent images of children.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Colin Haynes, of SEROCU, said: “Hains travelled a significant distance expecting to carry out sexual abuse against a child.
“Upon meeting police officers instead of the child, he had travelled expecting to see for sexual activity to take place, Hains fainted, demonstrating how shocked he was to have been ‘found out’ for his offending.
“Through his professional life, he would have been aware of what constitutes an offence of this nature and will now have time in prison to reflect upon this.
“SEROCU officers continue to work tirelessly to protect children and to bring those who commit offences against them before the courts to be held accountable for their actions.”
Hains, who worked at the urology department of University Hospitals Sussex, was jailed for three years and two months.
The defendant, of St Mary’s Close, Lavant, Chichester, must register as a sex offender for ten years and has been made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for the same time.
Anyone concerned about their thoughts or behaviour towards children or those of someone else can seek help and support via the Stop it Now! helpline on 0808 1000 900.
Further support is available from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.
Victims of sexual offences or anyone who has information about them should contact police by calling the non-emergency number 101 or 999 in an emergency.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 111 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.