A man appeared in court accused of possessing 9,000 indecent images of children - some of which were the most 'extreme' kind.

David Carey, 33, from Longenton in North Tyneside, faced nine charges at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court.

He spoke only to confirm his name and tell the court his date of birth and address.

David Carey, 33, from Longenton in North Tyneside, faced nine charges at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court

He withheld his plea to one count of distributing an indecent image of a child, three of making an indecent image/pseudo-photograph of a child, three of possessing an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child, one of possessing an extreme pornographic image, which involved sexual activity with an animal, and one of possessing a prohibited image of a child.

Laura Lax, prosecuting, said the alleged offences took place between November 1 2012 and February 25, 2016 at his home.

She said the charges related to photos and movies of category A, the most serious, to category C, the least serious, and were allegedly found on a phone, memory stick and laptop.

Ms Lax said: 'These charges are not suitable to be dealt with at this court.

'There's a number of charges. It's allegedly about 9,000 images and some are extreme.

'There's also a charge of distribution of a small amount of category A images.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case was sent to Newcastle Crown Court, where Carey will next appear on February 1

'It's clearly beyond any potential sentencing powers of this court.'

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case was sent to Newcastle Crown Court, where Carey will next appear on February 1.