AN EXAMINATION of a Borders man's mobile phone found him to be encouraging a girl aged seven and nine to engage in sexual activity, Jedburgh Sheriff Court has been told.

The Snapchat screenshots – which 29-year-old Jayce Simpson, of Jedburgh, later sent to another person – incited the girl to undress and touch herself.

He was communicating indecently with the child, who is unknown to the prosecution, and images recovered showed Simpson interacting with her and encouraging the sexual poses.

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Fifty two indecent child images were also recovered from the phone following the police raid on Simpson's home in Hartrigge Road on February 19.

Simpson pleaded guilty to four charges of possession of indecent images, taking or permitting to be taken indecent images, distribution of indecent images and engaging in sexual communication with a female under 13 years of age.

The court heard the girl was estimated to be aged between seven and nine and not known to Simpson who he had met on a video chat programme where people are randomly matched with others.

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Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client "accepts he has a problem".

Sheriff Peter Paterson noted Simpson had a previous conviction for indecent images and deferred sentence for six weeks for the production of background reports.

He added: "Be under no illusions, custody is uppermost in the court's mind."

Simpson is currently remanded in custody in connection with the case.