A BUSINESSMAN who fraudulently obtained a �23,000 vehicle from a Galashiels motor dealership has been jailed for 12 months at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

George McLeod - who runs an agricultural plant hire firm - told salesmen he had arranged a bank transfer to cover the payment of the vehicle.

But although the 44-year-old, of Bleachfield Road in Selkirk, was able to take the vehicle away from DS Dalgleish in Melrose Road, Galashiels, he had not arranged any payment.

It also emerged he did not have sufficient funds in his bank account to cover the �23,684 cost of the vehicle.

Mcleod - described as a prisoner at Kilmarnock - pleaded guilty on indictment to obtaining the vehicle by fraud at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.

He admitted pretending to two salesmen on September 11 and 12 that he had arranged a bank transfer of �23,684 from a Santander bank account in the name G Mcleod Plant Hire Ltd.

McLeod said his business was in danger of being declared bankrupt and admitted it had been foolish to carry out the fraud. He added that he deeply regretted his actions.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond back-dated the 12 months prison sentence to March 1 when Mcleod was remanded in custody.