A UNIVERSITY IT support worker stored indecent images of children on his work computer, a court heard.

Matthew James Hepburn was already under investigation over similar material found on computer equipment confiscated from his home address, last year.

But after police were alerted, Hepburn’s Durham University work computer was removed last month and its contents are to be examined, as well as those of a mobile phone also seized by the force’s computer crime unit.

Appearing at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court, via video link from the city’s nearby prison, 36-year-old Hepburn, of Oakridge Road, Ushaw Moor, admitted three charges of making indecent photos of children.

It relates to 95 category A images, the most serious rating, 129 in category B and 573 in category C, downloaded between May 14, 2003, and December 10, last year.

He also admitted a single charge of possessing extreme pornography, relating to 313 images featuring scenes of bestiality.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, said the situation was complicated by the further seizures, based on information received from the university, last month.

But he told the court that Hepburn has already made confessions to police as to their contents, even though they are yet to undergo full examination.

Mr Cleasby said the defendant has been “very forthright”, particularly in his last two police interviews.

“It appears he has made global admissions that any images found on those devices are his responsibility.”

Mr Cleasby asked for the case to be adjourned for 28 days so the recently seized devices can be fully analysed.

Judge Christopher Prince agreed, but said the Probation Service could begin preparing a pre-sentence background report, on Hepburn.

Adjourning until July 6, Judge Prince said if due progress is made, Hepburn may be sentenced that day.