A FORMER legal chief at Herts County Council is facing jail after admitting 18 charges relating to child abuse images.
Andrew Laycock, 58, pleaded guilty to 17 counts of making indecent images of children and one charge of possessing more than 5,700 indecent images at St Albans Crown Court on Monday.
The charges date back to June 22 last year, after Laycock’s home in Hertford was searched by police.
The case was adjourned until next month when he will be sentenced.
Laycock, now retired, was head of legal services at the council until October 2009.
After the hearing CPS prosecutor Robbie Webber said: “His crimes commenced whilst he worked for the council, however, there is no evidence to suggest that any of the offences were committed whilst he was at work.
“The defendants home computer was seized as part of the investigation and thoroughly analysed using the latest computer technology.
“The police and CPS will robustly investigate and prosecute anyone who commits crimes involving child abuse images.”