A MAN has appeared in court accused of making more than 5,000 indecent images of children and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Martin Cole, 32, of Greystone Place, Cleator Moor, entered no pleas to the eight charges he faces when he appeared at Workington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

He is accused of the following offences, alleged to have taken place in 2020:

  • Making 1,809 category A indecent images of children (the most serious child abuse images)
  • Making 1,493 category B indecent images of children
  • Making 2,489 category C indecent images of children

Cole is also accused of the following offences:

  • Causing a child under 13 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity
  • Inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity with penetration
  • Two charges of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity without penetration

He is also charged with:

  • Possessing three extreme pornographic images depicting oral sex with an animal

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the case would be more appropriately dealt with at the crown court.

Cole, who was represented by defence solicitor John Cooper, will appear at Carlisle Crown Court on February 3 for a pre-trial preparation hearing.

He was granted bail until his next court appearance.