THE former head of corporate communications at Cleveland Police has appeared in court charged with making indecent images of children.

John William Green, more commonly known as Will Green, was suspended when he was arrested and has since resigned from his role.

The 42-year-old admitted making 79 Category C still indecent images of children following his arrest on January 12 this year.

The charges relate to alleged off-duty conduct, the force confirmed.

Green, now of Morpeth but formely of Collingwood Drive, Hexham, pleaded guilty to the single charge during the short hearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court this morning.

Ian Martin, prosecuting, said: "Cleveland Police were made aware by the National Crime Agency of indecent images being uploaded at a house in Wynyard."

He was released on bail while a pre-sentence report is compiled and will return to the same court to be sentenced on August 24.

Deputy District Judge Tom Moran told Green he would be subject to notification requirements following his guilty plea.

"I have read the letter and references," he said. "I have read your own letter and I can see that it wasn't easy for you to write."

The force and the NSPCC have condemned his beahviour after he admitted the charge.

Speaking after the hearing, Superintendent Paul Waugh from the Cleveland Police Directorate of Standards and Ethics said: "Whilst the offences are not linked to his role, he was in a trusted position in policing, communicating about the core values that he did not uphold. He has let his colleagues, partner agencies and local communities down.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054