Tom Binns admits possessing child pornography
- Comedian Tom Binns has admitted to possessing images of child sexual abuse
- He is known for playing the characters Ivan Brackenbury and Ian D Montfort at live shows, on TV and the radio
- He says he did not seek out or want the images, but adds "I will take my punishment for this"
Tom Binns has admitted to possessing child pornography.
The comedian, who sometimes performs as the hospital radio DJ character Ivan Brackenbury and psychic character Ian D Montfort, admitted in court to five counts of "making" and one of "possessing" indecent images of children.
BBC Radio Sheffield reports that Binns was investigated by the National Crime Agency following the discovery of images on devices he had asked a family friend to sell on eBay on his behalf.
Binns released a statement to Chortle today, saying: "Over two years ago, while under the influence of an overdose of prescription drugs for ADHD, which induced obsessive compulsive disorder, I downloaded and deleted a very large amount of adult pornography over a short period of time.
"Within those downloads it appears there was some child pornography which I had not sought out nor wanted. I have no sexual interest in children. I have taken and passed a polygraph stating I have no sexual interest in children.
"I am bitterly upset at the hurt this has caused my family for which I take full responsibility. I will take my punishment for this and hope that my family are not further harmed by my actions."
Binns, from Chesterfield, started his career on local radio stations. As well as performing as himself and characters in comedy clubs, tours and festival shows, he has acted in a number of TV and radio shows.
BBC Radio has made shows centred around his most popular characters, Ivan Brackenbury and Ian D Montfort, and in 2016 piloted Hospital People, a sitcom in which he played multiple characters, including Brackenbury. A six-part series followed in 2017.
Binns will be sentenced next month.