However, due to the ongoing barristers’ strike, Harris’s legal representative was unable to attend the hearing, meaning his sentencing had to be postponed.

Speaking in court, Judge Catherine Tulk warned Harris that his sentence, when passed, will be lengthy.

She said: “I was all ready to sentence you, and I gather that up until yesterday morning you were expecting to be sentenced.

“You are under no illusion that this offending will result in an immediate prison sentence that will be measured in years rather than months.”

Before the hearing, Harris, of The Willows in Daventry, Northamptonshire, had pleaded guilty to one count of arranging or facilitating the commission of child sex offences and three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

During proceedings, Judge Tulk suggested that she remand Harris in custody immediately, with the time he spends behind bars before he is eventually sentenced to count towards his time served.

Harris agreed to this suggestion.

Judge Tulk said: “My intention today is to revoke your bail and remand you in custody, effectively you will start serving the sentence, the length of which will be notified to you in a matter of course.”