A former Hackney councillor has admitted five charges of possessing indecent images of children.

Thomas Dewey, 36, entered five guilty pleas at his first appearance at Uxbridge magistates court today (July 18).

He admitted a charge of making (downloading) five category A indecent images of children - the most serious kind - on April 29, 2022 in Hackney, a further charge of making four category B indecent images on the same date as well as making 203 category C indecent images of children on the same date.

Hackney Gazette: Ex Hackney councillor Tom Dewy admitted five charges of possessing indecent images of children.Ex Hackney councillor Tom Dewy admitted five charges of possessing indecent images of children. (Image: Julia Gregory)

Dewey, of Petersfield, Hampshire, also admitted a charge of possessing 78 extreme pornographic images of children on April 29, 2022 and having 1,523 prohibited images of children in his possession on or before January 20, 2022.

He was arrested by National Crime Agency officers at his home in Hackney in April 2022 and released under investigation.

Dressed in a dark suit, he was committed to Isleworth Crown Court for sentencing on August 15.

He was released on bail and magistrates ordered him to report to his local police station later this week.

Dewey was elected as a Labour councillor for De Beauvoir ward in last May’s council elections and resigned days later, triggering a by-election last July.

He had previously worked for Hackney Council as an adviser working with the cabinet and Mayor and also served as election agent for Hackney South and Shoreditch MP, Meg Hillier.