A FORMER photography lecturer at Liverpool community college has admitted making obscene pictures of children.

Alan McKernan, 52, pleaded guilty to 16 charges of making indecent images of youngster, totalling about 1,500 photographs.

McKernan, who was a lecturer for more than 25 years, even had his college computer seized by police in the wake of his arrest. Officers took the machine from the Myrtle Street college arts department during a half-term break.

McKernan was suspended soon after his arrest, in February, 2009, but left the college soon after.

Appearing at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, McKernan wore a dark suit, white shirt and dark tie. He also carried a large briefcase.

McKernan, formerly of Crosby, but now of Target Road, Heswall, Wirral, pleaded guilty to all 16 charges of making indecent images of children.

The court heard five of the charges related to category four images and movies – the second most severe level.

A total of about 1,500 images are understood to have been found.

But Martin Decker, prosecuting, told the court some of the images had been found on two separate computers and there was some duplication of the photographs.

He added that experts would now examine all the pictures to gain an exact figure he had hoarded.