AN OXFORD University philosophy lecturer has admitted making indecent images of children.

Peter King, who published an academic paper in 2008 about child pornography and ethics, has been suspended from Pembroke College following the admission.

The college told the Oxford Mail that it had only been made aware of the charges against King the day before his court appearance.

He entered guilty pleas at Oxford Crown Court last Thursday, to three counts of making indecent photos of a child (which can also cover downloading or forwarding images) between 2010 and 2018, and one count of possession of a prohibited image of a child.

A Pembroke College spokesperson told the Oxford Mail: "Pembroke was made aware of the police investigation and charges against Peter King only the day before his court appearance.

"He was immediately suspended from his employment, pending disciplinary proceedings.

"The college moved swiftly to put in place welfare and counselling arrangements for students and staff, and alternative teaching arrangements and academic support for all affected students."

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Philosophy students told student paper the Oxford Blue that they had not heard from King for weeks nor had any recent lectures or seminars with him.

An email to students quoted by the publication, attributed to Pembroke's academic director Nancy Braithwaite, said King's admission came as a 'shock'.

She added: "I am sorry to have to relay such distressing news.

"This will be a difficult time for our community and we must do everything we can to support each other."

King's 2008 paper was No Plaything: Ethical Issues Concerning Child-pornography.

According to the foreword, it discusses 'the possibility of a morally acceptable form of child-pornography'.

He will be sentenced on March 19.