Anthony Weiner jailed over underage sexting scandal which rocked Clinton campaign

Former congressman Anthony Weiner has been jailed over an underage sexting scandal which helped rock Hillary Clinton's election campaign.

Weiner, 53, estranged husband of former Clinton aide Huma Abedin, sent a teenage girl a string of lewd messages in 2016.

During their investigation, police stumbled upon information on Weiner's laptop which led to the re-opening of the [Clinton email probe](http://Hillary Clinton email scandal: What) - a divisive point throughout last year's US presidential race.

Weiner's reputation was already in tatters after resigning from Congress in 2011 for sending sexually-charged messages to different women.

He has now been jailed for 21 months after admitting inappropriate contact with the 15-year-old.

Weiner and Huma Abedin (l) are undergoing a divorce. Credit: AP

In September last year, his victim said she had exchanged lewd messages with Weiner for a number of months and also accused him of asking her to undress on camera.

Weiner later pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor.

As he was sentenced Weiner wept for a number of minutes.

Lawyers told the court the former politician was "a very sick man for a very long time".

“I am profoundly sorry,” Weiner said in court.

“The crime I committed was my rock bottom. ... I live a different and better life today.”

Mrs Abedin was Hillary Clinton's former aide. Credit: AP

The initial police investigation led to the seizure of Weiner's laptop, which in turn unearthed a number of emails between Mrs Clinton and Mrs Abedin

Former Secretary of State Mrs Clinton had been accused of using her private email server to handle confidential documents.

Though no charges were laid before Mrs Clinton, the FBI's actions were slammed as having an adverse effect upon her White House campaign.

Weiner was told by the judge that he would need to register as a sex offender.

He and Mrs Abedin are currently going through divorce proceedings.