A HAWICK man who was found to have more than 1,300 indecent images of children on his computer has escaped a prison sentence.

Andrew Bell, 42, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened at his Ruberslaw Road home between May 2014 and July 29 last year.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court court heard that 157 images were in the most serious category A involving penetrative sex.

One moving image featured an adult female engaging in oral sex with an animal.

Bell was given a three year community pay back order with supervision monitoring his Internet use and also told to carry out 200 hours unpaid work.

His name was also placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for a three year period.