A BORDERS man has received a 17-month jail sentence after admitting sending a sexual communication to an underage teenage girl.

Ashley Bell, 37, from Hawick, pleaded guilty to intentionally sending the indecent messages to the youngster under section 34 of the Sexual Offences Act.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told Bell is currently serving a prison sentence which is not due to expire until June 28 this year.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said the 17-month jail term would run from that date.

In addition, Bell was made subject to the notification requirements for the sex offenders register for seven years.