A SEX offender who deleted the search history on his mobile phone which breached his bail conditions has received a six-month prison sentence.

Paul Devins, 50, was on bail for sending indecent messages to an 11-year-old girl when he committed the offence at his home in Havelock Place in Hawick, between August 2022 and June 30, 2023.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said it was a "serious breach of bail" as the bail conditions had been imposed for a good reason.

But Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard the sentence would not affect his release date in May for the substantive complaint against him.

In September, Devins received a 15-month sentence for the indecent messages when, claiming he was 28 years old, he asked the youngster for a topless picture and told her she was "hot".

He admitted repeatedly asking to see the 11-year-old in a state of undress.

Devins also pleaded guilty to causing a child under 13 years of age to look at a sexual image and possession of indecent images of children.

His name is on the sex offenders register for 10 years.