A 55-year-old man admitted having child porn pictures when he appeared before a judge at Maidstone Crown Court.

David Elmer pleaded guilty to six offences of possessing an indecent picture of a child between June 1 and 16.

The court heard that the charges represented specimen counts relating to a total of 20 pictures. These were graded at levels two to four, although the majority were said to be at the lower end.

Kerim Fuad, defending, said Elmer, of Canterbury Street, Gillingham, did not distribute the pictures and made no commercial gain. “He is as far away from the original source as is possible,” he added.

Sentence was adjourned until April 15 to allow Elmer to undergo a vital knee operation next month. Mr Fuad requested the lengthy adjournment as Elmer also requires a 12-week convalescing period.

Judge Warwick McKinnon warned Elmer, however, that he could still be facing prison.

Having pleaded guilty Elmer must now sign on the sex offenders’ register. He was released on unconditional bail.