WORKINGTON man Reece Martin Kelly has appeared in court accused of downloading dozens of child abuse images.

The 31-year-old appeared before magistrates at Carlisle’s Rickergate court today, via a video link. He was told that he is facing three charges, relating to a 169 illegal images, 29 of which are categorised as Category A, the most serious kind.

According to prosecution papers, the defendant downloaded the indecent photographs between September 16, 2021, and October 13 that year. The allegations are that he downloaded or  possessed:

  • 29 Category A images of children.
  • Four Category B images.
  • And 136 Category C images.

All of the images which the prosecution say were found on the defendant’s phone were of “pre-pubescent children,” said prosecutor Peter Bardsley.

After giving his his personal details, including his date of birth, Kelly confirmed to the court that he formerly lived at Hunday Court in Workington.

When asked whether he would plead guilty of not guilty to the three allegations, Kelly replied: “I’d like to enter no plea at this point.”

Mr Bardsley said that all  of the alleged offences are said to have been committed in the Workington area during the period specified in the charge.

After hearing representations from the prosecutor and defence lawyer Lauren Heasley, lead magistrate Sarah Bradbury said: “We are going to decline jurisdiction so we will not deal with this here today.”

She confirmed that the magistrates would send the case to Carlise Crown Court.

The first hearing there is currently scheduled to take place on the morning of January 2, when Kelly is likely to be asked to formally enter pleas to the three allegations he is facing.

In the meantime, he will remain in custody.