A HAMPSHIRE man caught with thousands of indecent images of children is to face sentencing at the crown court.

Matthew Phillip Hirst was found in possession of more than 4,000 sexual images of children.

The 32-year-old also distributed 65 indecent images, include one category A image – the highest category for indecent images.

He indicated guilty pleas to three charges of making indecent images during an appearance at Southampton Magistrates' Court this month.

Hirst indicated guilty pleas to three counts of distributing indecent images of children.

He also indicated a guilty plea to one count of being in possession of 107 prohibited images of children – a category which includes computer-generated images (CGI’s), cartoons, manga images and drawings.

Hirst, of Tatchbury Lane, Winsor, Hampshire, will appear at Southampton Crown Court for sentencing on March 15.