Eton pupil caught with 'thousands of indecent images of children' while at school

Andrew Picard is accused of inciting youngsters to strip for him on webcam and sharing images online

A statue of the scales of justice stands above the Old Bailey (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

An Eton College student who was reportedly found with more than 2,000 indecent images of children on his computer has appeared in court.

Andrew Picard is accused of possessing, making and distributing photographs of children while at the prestigious private boarding school in Berkshire, and encouraged youngsters to strip for him on webcam, according to the Telegraph.

Picard, who was 17 at the time of the alleged offences but is now 18, did not enter a plea when he appeared at Oxford Magistrates Court.

He is facing 12 counts of child abuse dating from January and February this year.

He is alleged to have incited youngsters to undress on webcam and is said to have shared indecent images via online messaging systems and Skype.

Prosecutor Claire Barclay, told the court the charges were extremely serious. She said Mr Picard had been accused of distributing images to others in a chat room and causing children to undress on webcam for him, according to the Sun.

The alleged offences date to when Picard was a pupil at Eton College (Getty)

Picard, from Westminster in London, is also charged with three counts of encouraging boys below the age of 15 to engage in a sex act on webcam.

Sallie Bennett-Jenkins QC, for the defence, reportedly said her client would give no indication of his plea. Erica Imison, the presiding magistrate, said the matter would be passed to the Crown Court, according to the Daily Mail.

Picard was granted bail until the hearing.