Ex-policeman faces 25 child porn charges

A former police officer is to stand trial on a series of child porn charges, a court has heard.

Aaron Payne, 32, who quit the Police Service of Northern Ireland at the time of his arrest last year, faces 25 separate offences.

He is alleged to have made indecent photographs or pseudo photographs of a child on dates between February and April 2008.

During a preliminary inquiry hearing at Belfast Magistrates Court prosecutors sought to have him returned for Crown Court trial.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall granted the application on the basis that there was a case to answer. Defence solicitor Brian Archer confirmed that his client was not seeking bail.

Payne, whose address was formerly given as Barrack Street police station in Lisburn, Co Antrim was remanded in continuing custody.