A man from Totnes has pleaded guilty to downloading more than 1,000 images or movies which showed child abuse.

Robert Walker, aged 63, of Winslade Avenue, Totnes, admitted three counts of making indecent images of children when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court.

Each charge relates to the making of different categories of images of movies by downloading them from the internet.

Images are categorised by seriousness, with those classed as A being the worst and C the least serious. Category A images show children suffering serious sexual assaults by adults. Category C images show sexual posing.

Walker admitted having two still and 54 images at category A, six stills and one movie at category B; and 1,186 stills and nine movies at category C.

Judge Timothy Rose adjourned the case for a week and asked the probation service to prepare a report. He released him on bail but warned him that all sentencing options remain open.

He told him: ‘These are very serious charges which can and do result in prison sentences. In granting you bail, I am making no indication of what the outcome will be.’

Walker was ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders’ Register immediately.

The length of time he will remain on it will depend on his eventual sentence.