Londonderry man admits possessing child sex images

Caolan Coyle will be sentenced on 8 November in Londonderry

A 30-year-old man from Londonderry has pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children as young as six.

Caolan Coyle admitted 12 charges of having the indecent images when he appeared at Londonderry Crown Court on Monday.

Coyle, whose address cannot be made public due to a court order, also admitted a charge of attempting to sexually communicate with a child for his personal sexual gratification.

He has been released on continuing bail until sentencing on 8 November.

The court was told the offences of having indecent images were committed on 7 October 2022.

The images were classified as the most serious category A, as well as categories B and C and involved children whose ages ranged from six years of age to 14, the court was told.

The offence of attempting to sexually communicate with a child for his personal sexual gratification was committed on dates between 8 July and 24 October 2022.

A prosecutor told the court a further five charges of possessing indecent images of children were to be left on the books.

Judge Philp Babington ordered a pre-sentencing report ahead of 8 November, when he said the order banning Coyle's address from being made public "can be reviewed on that date".

Coyle has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders' register.

The length of time he has to stay on the register will be determined when he is sentenced.