FOUR men appeared in court yesterday and admitted a string of Internet child porn offences.

The defendants were arrested as part of the worldwide crackdown, codenamed Operation Ore.

Stephen Cuff, 29, of Spring Court, Darlington, admitted 13 charges of making indecent photographs of children between April 7, 2001 and August 12, 2001.

Michele Valente, 53, of Abbey Road, Pity Me, County Durham, pleaded guilty to 16 charges of possessing indecent photographs of children on October 12 last year.

Graham Thurlwell, 25, of Moor Crescent, Framwellgate Moor, Durham, admitted one offence of making an indecent photograph of a child on August 7, 2001 and a further 15 of possessing indecent photographs of children on December 13 last year.

John Start, 33, of Pine Street, Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, admitted 16 counts of possessing indecent photographs of children on October 5 last year and one of making an indecent photograph of a child on the same day.

He also admitted three offences of possessing indecent photographs of children on November 4 last year.

Sentencing, which is expected to take place late next month, was adjourned at Newcastle Crown Court for pre-sentence reports.

Judge Richard Lowden also ordered a psychiatric report on Cuff.

They were released on bail but the judge warned them that a custodial sentence was an option open to him.