A 46-year-old Ipswich man was caught with child pornography after the authorities in Canada discovered his secret.

Warwick Southgate, of Morgan Drive admitted possession of indecent photographs of a child and making indecent photographs of a child when he appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court.

The court was told there were four indecent images and all were at Category C – the lowest level of seriousness in the grading of child pornography.

The offences related to January 7 this year.

Prosecutor Emma Howson said Suffolk police received information from the Toronto Child Exploitation Service in Canada.

The court was told Southgate’s details had been found on a mailing list for the distribution of videos of young children.

The information was received on November 13 and the internet provider’s address registered to Southgate had been used to download indecent images and videos of children during October last year.

Suffolk police executed a search warrant at Southgate’s home on January 7.

A number of items were seized including a Acer laptop and two dvd movies, including one entitled ‘You Are Not Alone’.

Magistrates heard Southgate, a lorry driver, had no previous convictions.

Sue Threadkell, representing Southgate, said the matter had originally been deemed suitable for a police caution.

However Mrs Threadkell added: “What I can’t do is provide details as to why that did not occur.”

The court was told in Southgate’s second police interview officers felt he had not done enough to accept responsibility.

Mrs Threadkell said: “Regretfully, appearing before the court has cost him his good name and a conviction from which he’s removed himself from his paid employment which he has undertaken for many years.”

Magistrates adjourned the case until July 22 for a pre-sentencing report to be prepared by the probation service.

Southgate was released on unconditional bail.