A COUNTY man will face trial over charges of making and distributing indecent images of children.

24 year-old Christopher Thorpe appeared before magistrates in Worcester to face seven charges relating to indecent images of children.

The charges are as follows: One of making 255 category A images of children, another of distributing 90 category A indecent images of children, one of making 39 category B images of children, another of distributing 11 indecent images of children, one of making 86 category C indecent images of children and another of distributing six category C images of children.

There is also another charge of possession of a prohibited image of a child between February and May 2020.

Thorpe, of Bewdley Hill, Kidderminster, entered no plea and the case was sent to Worcester Crown Court with a trial date set for May 6 this year.

Another Worcestershire man who appeared before magistrates in Worcester was sentenced for stealing clothes in Evesham.

David Pace, of Mill Street, Evesham, admitted stealing clothes worth £16 from Peacocks in the town on December 16 last year.

In response, magistrates handed the 56 year-old a 12-month conditional discharge in addition to compensation of £16, court costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £22.

A prison officer accused of contacting inmates with a mobile phone will face trial in May.

Shanice Mee was working at HMP Hewell when, it is alleged, she "wilfully and without reasonable excuse" neglected to perform her duty by contacting prisoners with a mobile phone.

26 year-old Mee, of Overpool Road, Birmingham, did not enter a plea, and the case was adjourned until May 6, where she will face trial at Worcester Crown Court.