A Bridport musician has admitted possessing almost 300 indecent images of children.

Garry Martin Smith, aged 66, of Mount Pleasant, was in possession of 288 indecent images of children between April 2016 to January 2020, Weymouth Magistrates Court heard.

Smith admitted to possession of five counts of category A indecent images of children - two of which are videos, eight counts of category B indecent images, and 275 counts of category C images.

The court heard Smith’s five category A images, which are rated the most serious, contained images of children aged between the ages of 10 to 15 years old.

Prosecutor Andrew Newman said due to the seriousness of the indecent images, Smith should be sentenced at the Crown Court.

Simon Lacey, representing Smith, said he admitted possessing the images immediately upon his arrest.

Mr Lacey said he was cooperative with police investigations by showing the sites to officers he viewed the indecent images on.

He said Smith’s wife has stood by him throughout the investigation.

The court heard how Smith had been seeking consultation with a counsellor and was remorseful for his actions.

Mr Lacey said: “He understands that children are exploited for this type of online material.”

Smith is a Bridport-based singer and guitarist who is known as Garry ‘the Slide Guy’ Smith.

Due to the severity of the offences, Smith will be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court.

He will appear there on Friday, February 12.