A 59-year-old West Bath man has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison, for attempted gross sexual assault.

Wayne Havey was arrested by South Portland police on Jan. 31, 2007, as part of a sting with the watchdog group, Perverted Justice.

The group targets potential sex offenders, by using volunteers who pose online as underage girls. Once a person initiates a desire to meet for sex, the volunteer notifies police, who arrange a “meeting” and make the arrest.

Havey was prosecuted by Cumberland County Assistant District Attorney Matt Tice, and was convicted following a trial in September. He was sentenced Thursday by Superior Court Justice Thomas Warren.

The sentence was for five years, with all but 30 months suspended, and three years of probation following his release.