The 63-year-old defendant, of Dodd Avenue, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children at Wells between January 6, 2020 and March 10, 2021 when he appeared before District Judge Angela Brereton, sitting at Yeovil.

The charges involved downloading four mages in the most serious Category A; Four images in Category B and 99 in Category C.

Prosecutor Emma Lenanton said that police received information from the National Crime Agency in relation to indecent images of children.

“An IP address was linked to this defendant at an address in Wells and the police applied for a warrant to search the premises,” she said.

“A search was conducted, and a number of items were seized including an Apple iphone, and it was on that device that forensic analysis revealed the individual images of children.”

Miss Lenanton said that due to the number of images discovered and the seriousness of content McGrath should be committed to the crown court for sentence.

She added that analysis of the images revealed two aggravating features including the period of time over which the images were viewed and the age and vulnerability of the victims with the youngest child around six years of age.

District Judge Brereton endorsed that view and adjourned the case until July 8 and ordered the defendant to appear at Taunton Crown Court. She also requested a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the Probation Service to look at all options including custody.

In the meantime McGrath was released on unconditional bail.