Benjamin Powley admits four charges at Telford Magistrates Court — Oswestry

Benjamin Powley, a 27-year-old from Smale Rise, oswestry, pleaded guilty at Telford Magistrates Court to four charges linked to indecent images of children. The case was adjourned until July 1 for a hearing at the same court.

Telford Magistrates Court

The charges included downloading indecent photos of a child in categories A, B and C, along with possession of prohibited images of children. The hearing puts the case on track for a sentence decision after the court receives a pre-sentence report from the probation service.

Chairman of the bench Steven Jonas told the court: "This court needs information about you from the probation service before your sentence and before the court finalises its decision whether or not to sentence you in this court or commit you to the crown court for sentence."

Steven Jonas

The court will then decide whether sentencing stays in magistrates court or moves to the crown court. That choice affects where the sentence is imposed, and the crown court has the ability to impose longer and more severe sentences.

Powley’s guilty pleas mean the case has moved beyond the allegation stage and into sentencing preparation. The July 1 hearing is the point at which the court is expected to continue that process.