Passport office worker stole photographs of children from applications and made indecent images

James Close also admits possessing extreme pornography relating to bestiality videos

General view of Durham passport office. (Google)

A passport worker has admitted stealing photographs of girls from applications and making indecent images of children.

James Close, 36, from Shildon, County Durham, pleaded guilty to theft of 30 images from Durham Passport Office and four sexual offences relating to possessing and making indecent images.

He also admitted a charge of possessing extreme pornography relating to bestiality videos as he appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court.

Close was charged with stealing “30 passport photographs, of a value unknown, belonging to Her Majesty’s Passport Office” between May and December 2018.

He was released on conditional bail until his next appearance at Durham Crown Court, where he will be sentenced on 22 November.

The defendant was told he would face restrictions of his use of computers while on bail.

Durham Police said after the hearing: “Following intelligence received, a warrant was served at an address in Shildon in County Durham earlier this year and a number of items were seized by officers.

“As part of that investigation a man in his mid-30s was arrested at his workplace in Durham city on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children and theft from his employer.”

A Home Office spokesman added: “This case is subject to ongoing legal proceedings and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment.”

Additional reporting by Press Association.