The father of missing student Russell Bohling has admitted possessing hundreds of indecent images of children.

Roger Bohling pleaded guilty to 11 counts of possessing indecent images of children and animals at Beverley Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The 484 images of children as young as nine were discovered when police took computers and discs from his houses in West Ella and Ravenscar, in North Yorkshire, on March 23.

The computers were taken as officers looked for clues into 18-year-old Russell's disappearance almost six months ago.

Prosecutor Karen Quintick said: "The images were of young children and pre-teens wearing clothes and posing to reveal their underwear."

Lawrence Watts, in mitigation, said: "He says that it was never his intention to break the law.

"He didn't understand that a photograph in which no sexual activity was depicted could be seen as indecent."

Despite the guilty plea, Bohling, 57, of The Fairway, Westella, told the Mail he has no interest in children.

He claimed the photographs of children in their underwear were like "holiday snaps".

He said: "I handed my computer to police knowing there were images there because I had to help them find Russell despite the consequences for me.

"I hope this does not affect the case.

"I'm not interested in children."

"I deeply regret the embarrassment to my family."

The images featuring children were categorised as level one, the least serious type.

Bohling also had 28 bestiality images and movies of dogs and horses, which were classed as "extreme pornography".

Images had been downloaded using a credit card onto his cousin's computer and Bohling had copied the files to his computer.

His cousin and another individual were given cautions.

Bohling will be sentenced at Hull Crown Court on September 20.

He was released on unconditional bail and ordered to sign the sex offenders register.