A MAN facing a trial for having thousands of indecent images of children made an 11th-hour change of plea - after a judge told him: "You should think long and hard about it."

Judge Sean Morris said the evidence against Arthur Stroud was "overwhelming" and suggested he should have another consultation with his barrister.

After a break of about half-an-hour, the 59-year-old admitted two charges of making indecent photographs of children - a total of more than 4,800.

His case at Teesside Crown Court was adjourned by Judge Morris until next month so a probation officer can prepare a pre-sentence report on Stroud.

Mr Soppitt asked the judge for what is called a Goodyear direction - where the defendant can be given an indication of what the sentence will be if he pleads guilty.

Judge Morris said he had in mind a non-custodial disposal with "bolt-ons" designed to protect the public from further offending by Stroud.

The judge told him: "If I see any whinging or backtracking in that report, then all bets are off. Do you get my drift?

"Your pleas were a little late in the day, but better late than never. Believe me, you have done the right thing. The evidence in this case, quite frankly, was overwhelming."

The court heard how police found 19 images on a lap-top computer when they searched Stroud's home in Warwick Street, Middlesbrough, in April 2013.

Officers also went to an address in Ashford in Middlesex where they discovered 4,813 indecent photos on a computer hard-drive.

Judge Morris told Stroud before his change of plea: "I have been in this job for eight years, and I have been at the Bar for 25 years, and I know the sight of a man who is his own worst enemy.

"You should think long and hard about it. It may well be that you are your worst enemy."

He told Mr Soppitt: "The most important thing, I always think, in cases of this nature, is recognition of what has happened and what he has done. That matters.

"Usually it means you can work with people like that. People who are in denial and just brazen it out are people who worry judges.

"A three-year community order could be on the cards, providing it is full contrition in the pre-sentence report. Maybe a suspended sentence with bolt-ons.

"The first most important thing is recognition."