A pensioner has appeared in court accused of having a vile stash of child sexual abuse images and videos.
Peter Dennis was alleged to have the 245-strong collection of the illegal material on electronic devices at his address in Ashington. The 69-year-old, who appeared in the dock via video link from his home, is suspected of amassing the pictures and videos between February 2018 and January 2021.
Dennis, of Portia Street, in Ashington, spoke only to state his name, date of birth and address when he appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court this week and to confirm he was withholding his pleas to three counts of making an indecent images of a child.
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Elizabeth Winchester, prosecuting, said the charges involved 133 videos and 20 category images of category A, 21 videos and 33 images of category B and 17 videos and 21 images of category C. Its also alleged that children as young as five were depicted in the pictures.
Ms Winchester said: “The Crown would say that this case isn’t suitable to be retained in the magistrates’ court. The guidelines for category A images is 12 months in custody.”
Stewart Hay, defending, added: “We would agree in terms of venue about where this case should be heard.”
Sending Dennis to Newcastle Crown Court, chairing magistrate, Keith McIntosh, said: “We have declined jurisdiction. That means the crown court will deal with this matter. “
Dennis was released on unconditional bail to next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on March 21.
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