A MAN who was arrested following an international police operation has appeared in court charged with taking and distributing indecent images of children.

Mark Donaldson, from Marshalls Cross Road in Sutton, faced 11 charges at St Helens Magistrates’ Court following his arrest last October.

The 28-year-old is accused of registering with a website in Russia where it is alleged he shared the images.

In a hearing at St Helens Magistrates’ Court, prosecutor Angela Blackmore outlined the charges and said some of the allegations centre on images of children in school uniforms.

She added that another charge relates to pictures of young girls and of children in swimming baths.

Donaldson, who stood in the dock wearing a suit and tie, is yet to enter a plea.

He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court for a preliminary hearing later this month.