A SUFFOLK College sign-language tutor has pleaded guilty to more than a dozen child pornography charges.

A SUFFOLK College sign-language tutor has pleaded guilty to more than a dozen child pornography charges.

Colin Liffen, a part-time tutor at the college in Rope Walk, Ipswich, admitted 13 counts of making indecent images of children at Ipswich Crown Court.

The offences took place over a five-month period between September 1 last year and February 3 this year.

His crimes include download images and movies onto a computer from the internet.

The 59-year-old, of Colchester Road, was arrested by Felixstowe-based officers from Suffolk police's on-line crime unit earlier this year.

The sign language tutor was charged with the offences back in May.

Liffen, who has hearing difficulties, is one of the foremost sign-language tutors in the county.

He was suspended from his post at Suffolk College the day after being charged with the offences when the allegations were brought to the attention of the college's director of human resources.

Suffolk College has stressed the accusations did not arise from Liffen's work there.

Liffen is due to be sentenced on October 17, when he will have to return to Ipswich Crown Court.

It is likely that when the sentence is concluded the forfeiture of his computers and related equipment will be made permanent and the contents destroyed.

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