A Dorset man pleaded guilty to possessing more than 3,000 indecent images of a child.

44-year-old Timothy Johnson, of Kings Street in Sturminster Marshall was charged with three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

The charges refer to a four-year period between March 11, 2019 and May 31, 2023.

Johnson was charged with possessing 565 Category A images, 401 Category B images and 2,711 Category C images amounting to 3,677 images in total.

The charge of “making indecent photographs” refers to the possession of the photographs in legal terms and is not the same as the distribution or possession of indecent photographs which are separate charges.

Category A images involve penetrative sexual activity, Category B images involve non-penetrative sexual activity and Category C are all other indecent images.

Nicola Reece, prosecuting, said: “Dorset Police were made aware by Merseyside Police of indecent images being accessed by an IP address.

“That IP address led them to Johnson’s home address.

“Officers conducted a search and a laptop was seized from his bedroom.

“Johnson referred to ‘sick porn’ and ‘videos that were wrong’ on the device.

“The device was later triaged and found 565 category A, 401 category B and 2,711 category C images.

“He gave a no-comment interview to police.

“He is of previous good character.”

Alan Bennett, chair of the Magistrates’ bench, said: “These offences are so serious that you need greater punishment than this court can give.”

The case was adjourned for sentencing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, July 26.

Johnson was released on conditional bail, with conditions not to be in a private place with a person under the age of 16 unless an adult is present who is aware of the ongoing investigation and there is consent from child social care in the area that the child is from.