A SELLAFIELD police officer has appeared before a Carlisle Crown Court judge over allegations that he accessed more than 18,000 child abuse images.

Serving Civil Nuclear Constabulary police constable Shaun Mandale, 45, had been due to enter pleas to the six charges he faces but could not do so because of the ongoing industrial action by barristers across England and Wales.

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson described the case as “deeply serious.” 

But after legal discussions, the judge in the case, Recorder Ian Unsworth, ruled that it would be inappropriate to allow the defendant to enter pleas when he was not represented in court by his defence barrister.

Mandale, of Belvedere Street, Workington, spoke during the hearing only to confirm his personal details and confirm that he understood what was happening.

Three of the charges he faces relate to him allegedly accessing indecent child images between February 1, 2020, and July 1, 2021. Prosecutors say that he accessed:

* 7,886 indecent child images which have been classes as Category A, the most serious kind of child abuse image.

* 2,597 Category B child abuse images.

* 7,651 Category C indecent child images.

The defendant is also accused of possessing 96 extreme pornographic images, including bestiality, possessing a prohibited images of children, and possessing more than 18,000 indecent child images.

After legal discussions, Recorder Unsworth QC adjourned the case until October 21, reserving the case to himself. The defendant will enter his pleas when he next appears at court, the judge said.

The Recorder granted the defendant bail but with certain conditions.

These conditions include a prohibition on him having unsupervised access to any child. In preparation for the next hearing, the judge asked that a psychological report should be prepared on the defendant, who must report to Workington Police Station at regular appointed times agreed by the courtThe d   .