Alan Ford, of Sunnyside Road, Worcester, appeared at Worcester Crown Court and admitted five counts when they were put to him by the court clerk.

Ford pleaded guilty to three counts of making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child; one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child and a further count of possession of an extreme pornographic image which portrayed a person performing a sexual act with a dog.

The court heard the offences took place between April 12, 2004, and April 8, 2021. 

Police found 792 still and 202 moving category A indecent images of children – the highest level identified within the sentencing guidelines which showed rape and torture of children or animals

Ford also downloaded 1,827 still and 123 moving category B images and 211,748 still and 1,592 moving category C images.

Ford stood as His Honour Judge Nicholas Cartwright told him to return to the court on June 2 when it is expected he will be sentenced. 

Ford was told he must immediately sign the sex offenders’ register.

The judge ordered the pre-sentence report telling Ford it was a requirement of his bail that he work with the probation service in the writing of it. 

The judge added: “You must not read anything into that I’m giving you bail as to your sentence – it will be up to the judge on the day.”

Ford was pictured on the steps leaving the court on Monday afternoon, (April 17), rushing to get into a waiting vehicle.