Labour Councillor - Child Pornography

A PROMINENT election agent has appeared in court charged with possessing more than 10,000 indecent images of children.

Former Rhondda Cynon Taf Labour councillor Steve Carnell, 57, of Trealaw, near Tonypandy, faces a total of 40 separate charges.

They include making and possessing indecent images of children and possessing extreme images involving animals.

The indecent images alleged to have been found in Carnell’s possession include over 2,000 at level four and around 150 at level five, the two most severe ratings.

Carnell – who acted as Rhondda MP Chris Bryant’s election agent last year and education minister Leighton Andrews’ agent in 2007 – was remanded in custody at Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court.

The charges date back to 2003.

There was no application for bail on his behalf and District Judge Jill Watkins remanded him in custody until his committal date of May 6.

She said: “I am remanding you in custody for fear of further offences.”

Source