Clergyman appears on porn charges

A bishop's advisor who is charged with making and possessing child pornography is to appear before a crown court.

The Rev Richard Thomas, 55, of Eastern Drive, in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, has been charged with eight counts of making child pornography on a computer.

The Diocese of Oxford's director of communications also faces eight charges of possessing child pornography.

He appeared before magistrates on Monday and was ordered to return on 20 March to be committed to crown court.

He has not entered any pleas.