Billy Charlton's indecent images case to be heard at crown court

William Bernard Charlton, known as Billy, appeared before Sunderland Magistrates’ Court today, Wednesday, March 11, to face the claims for the first time.

The 55-year-old, who told the court he lives in Seaham, entered no pleas to the court.

The charges are all said to have happened in Washington.

They are:

•Possessing an extreme pornographic image which portrayed a person performing a sex act with a dog on June 20, 2019

•Possessing an extreme pornographic image of an act likely to result in serious injury to a person’s private parts, also on June 20, 2019

•Distributing an indecent photographer pseudo-photograph of a child engaged in a sex act with a donkey, on June 28, 2018

•Making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child, namely a video, between June 28, 2018, and June 20, 2019.

When Charlton was read the charges, he told the bench he “did not understand” the allegations, and was only aware of one matter against him.

His solicitor Angus Westgarth explained his client had heard of the proceedings, originally scheduled to take place last month, via press reports.

Prosecutor Sue Baker told the bench the case was not suitable for a summary trial and asked for the case to be sent to the crown court.

Chairman of the bench Derek Moss told Charlton he would be given unconditional bail until next hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday, April 8, at 10am.