St John Bates faces further charges

Denies possessing indecent images of a child

A former clerk of Tynwald has denied two counts of possessing indecent images of a child.

Seventy-four-year-old Thomas St John Neville Bates pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were put to him at Douglas courthouse this morning.

One charge relates to three images found on a computer, the other relates to six images from a computer - the court heard they were considered to be level one on the COPINE scale, the lowest level.

At a previous court appearance, Professor Bates pleaded not guilty to indecent assault on a child, and gross indecency with a person under the age of 16.

He has been committed to the court of general gaol delivery, and will appear at a date to be fixed.

Mr Bates's bail continues, and he has been permitted to leave the Isle of Man to spend time with his family over Christmas and New Year.