A 61-YEAR-OLD man who admitted having indecent images of children in his possession has been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for five years.

William Martin MacBride, of Tempo Road, Doon, Tempo, pleaded guilty to a total of 18 charges relating to child pornography.

MacBride was charged with a total of 15 counts of making an indecent photograph of a child, two counts of possession of a prohibited image of a child and a further count of possession of an extreme pornographic image.

The offences were committed on dates between January 1, 2013 and June 13, 2014.

When he appeared before Dungannon Crown Court for sentencing, the defendant was put on probation for two years, with a requirement to participate actively in the Community Sex Offenders Group Work Programme.

MacBride was also made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for a period of five years.

Under the terms of this order, the defendant is banned from using any computer, smart phone or mobile device which would facilitate internet access, unless approved by the Designated Risk Manager.

He is also prohibited from possessing any device capable of capturing an image or making a recording, such as a camera, camcorder or phone, unless approved by the Designated Risk Manager.

Having been convicted of a sexual offence covered by Part Two of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, MacBride was also notified of his requirement to sign the Sex Offenders Register for a period of five years.

As part of his sentencing, the defendant was also informed that the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) may include him in the Adult and Childrens’ barred list, as required under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.

Meanwhile, the court ordered that the images and devices seized from the defendant are to be forfeited and destroyed.