A 39-year-old man has pleaded guilty to possessing explicit child pornography.

Stephen Paxton, of Westfield Road, Harpenden, appeared at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on Friday (7) morning and pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing indecent images of children.

In January he was found to be in possession of four category A images, the most serious kind, four category B images, and 18 category C images.

Neil Smith, prosecuting, described the seriousness of one of the images found and that the sentencing powers of the Magistrates’ court would not be sufficient.

He added: “[At the time] the defendant was interviewed and he said no comment. No remorse was expressed at the police station.”

Paxton has been referred to St Albans Crown Court for sentencing at a later date.