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| Scientist had 500,000 porn images | Scientist had 500,000 porn images |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A married scientist has pleaded guilty to possessing 500,000 indecent images of children. | A married scientist has pleaded guilty to possessing 500,000 indecent images of children. |
| Astrophysicist Robin Phillips, 33, also admitted two counts of taking indecent images of children and one of attempting to take an indecent image. | Astrophysicist Robin Phillips, 33, also admitted two counts of taking indecent images of children and one of attempting to take an indecent image. |
| A court heard police caught the father-of-two taking indecent photographs of young girls in Trafalgar Square, central London, on 27 August. | A court heard police caught the father-of-two taking indecent photographs of young girls in Trafalgar Square, central London, on 27 August. |
| Phillips of East Grinstead, West Sussex, will be sentenced next month. | Phillips of East Grinstead, West Sussex, will be sentenced next month. |
| Dapo Olorunsola-Elias, prosecuting, told Westminster Magistrates' Court: "He was seen to take a photo of a young female child sitting on the lion. | |
| "He was then seen to take a further photo of other female children." | "He was then seen to take a further photo of other female children." |
| Computer seized | Computer seized |
| Phillips was then approached by police officers. | Phillips was then approached by police officers. |
| In a police interview, Phillips admitted taking the photos and said he had got some on his computer from the internet. | In a police interview, Phillips admitted taking the photos and said he had got some on his computer from the internet. |
| The court heard how Phillips's home was searched and computer equipment seized. | The court heard how Phillips's home was searched and computer equipment seized. |
| Hundreds of thousands of indecent images were found. | Hundreds of thousands of indecent images were found. |
| Anyone who chooses to view images like these is assisting in abuse that goes on around the world District Judge, Quentin Purdy | Anyone who chooses to view images like these is assisting in abuse that goes on around the world District Judge, Quentin Purdy |
| Jacob Blatch, defending, said: "This is a problem that is loosely termed in his mind a hobby. | Jacob Blatch, defending, said: "This is a problem that is loosely termed in his mind a hobby. |
| "He also has a problem with his interest in teenage girls." | "He also has a problem with his interest in teenage girls." |
| District Judge Quentin Purdy said: "What he may choose to describe as a hobby is clearly something more sinister as far as young girls are concerned. | District Judge Quentin Purdy said: "What he may choose to describe as a hobby is clearly something more sinister as far as young girls are concerned. |
| "Anyone who chooses to view images like these is assisting in abuse that goes on around the world. | "Anyone who chooses to view images like these is assisting in abuse that goes on around the world. |
| "It is made worse by the fact he was skulking around in Trafalgar Square." | "It is made worse by the fact he was skulking around in Trafalgar Square." |
| Phillips was granted bail and the case was adjourned until 27 October for sentencing. | Phillips was granted bail and the case was adjourned until 27 October for sentencing. |
| He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register. | He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register. |