A University of York tutor has been convicted of child pornography charges after police found almost 2,500 indecent images of boys on his computer.

Keith Burton, a course tutor in the physics department at the university, who helps run the Harrogate Competitive Festival of Music, Speech and Drama, yesterday pleaded guilty to 16 offences of making an indecent photograph of a child and one of possession of indecent photographs of children.

Harrogate Magistrates' Court heard that Burton, 59, of Old Trough Way, Harrogate, was arrested in June as part of Operation Sirdar, an investigation into internet child pornography mounted by United States authorities in 2003.

Prosecutor Alison Whiteley said investigations at first centred on a Florida company before agents were led to Belarus, where a major facility for internet images of child abuse was uncovered.

Records had been seized there, and although customers were able to use a false name, they had to provide credit card details and a valid email address.

Investigators were led to two specific internet sites, and on June 21, a warrant under the Protection of Children Act was executed at Burton's home.

He was arrested and computer equipment was seized. Mrs Whiteley said the police's hi-tech crime unit had found 2,445 indecent images of children on Burton's computer. On a 1-5 scale used to determine the content of the photographs, 1,869 had been at the lowest level with another 524 at level two, 31 at level three and 21 at level four.

In interview, Burton said he had accessed sites for pictures of nude boys of various ages from 10 upwards with the majority being 15 and 16.

Burton's solicitor, Clive Farndon, said his client was a man of exemplary character. He was bailed to appear at York Crown Court for sentencing on the week beginning November 8.

A University of York spokeswoman said Burton was still employed by the university, but had not been on campus since his arrest.

She said a special forum would now examine the details of the case, and will decide whether to undertake internal disciplinary action.

Updated: 10:06 Friday, October 15, 2004