Workington man charged over indecent images of children

Mr Kelly appeared at Carlisle Magistrates' Court remotely, via video link

A 31-year-old man has appeared in court accused of possessing scores of indecent photographs of children.

Reece Kelly, from Workington, faces three charges including one of possessing 29 illegal category A images, classed as the most serious.

Mr Kelly appeared at Carlisle Magistrates' Court remotely, via video link, on Thursday.

He did not enter a plea and was remanded into custody to appear at Carlisle Crown Court on 2 January.

Hands clasped

During an address to magistrates, prosecutor Peter Bardsley said: "On 22 October 2021, the defendant's phone was seized by police. It was interrogated."

Of the illegal class A images Kelly stands accused of downloading to the phone, Mr Bardsley alleged: "These are the most serious [class of] images, of pre-pubescent children."

One charge alleges that he possessed 29 illegal images of category A between 16 September and 22 October 2021.

Two other charges allege the possession of four category B images and also 136 category C pictures, between 16 September and 31 October 2021.

During a 10-minute hearing, wearing a light grey jumper and with his hands clasped, he spoke to confirm his full name as Reece Martin Kelly, his date of birth and his most recent address as Hunday Court in Workington.

He was represented during the hearing by solicitor Lauren Heasley.