Child porn on councillor's laptop

A former councillor from Worcestershire has been found guilty of making 11 indecent photographs of children which were found on his council laptop.

Michael Angell, 61, who sat on Malvern Hills District Council for the Liberal Democrats, was also found guilty of possessing a further 29 photographs.

He was found not guilty of making a further five photographs.

The grandfather, of King Edward's Road, Malvern, was given conditional bail and will be sentenced in three weeks' time.

Hereford Crown Court heard how Angell had accessed websites from his council computer showing girls under the age of 18 in indecent photographs.

'Strict guidelines'

Judge David McEvoy told Angell that the verdict had been inevitable and placed the former councillor on the sex offenders' register.

A statement from Malvern Hills District Council said the authority took its responsibility to children, young people and vulnerable adults "very seriously".

The statement said: "At the time of the incident which led to the trial the council offered all of its councillors a loan of a computer so that they could better fulfil their roles as councillors.

"Strict guidelines were in place saying the laptops were only to be used for council business.

"The improper use of the computer by Mr Angell was discovered because of procedures the council had in place. The council immediately notified the police and has supported and assisted them in the investigation throughout."