A PAEDOPHILE who admitted creating more than 76,000 images of child abuse has been released on bail.

Over the course of 21 years, Tow Liew created a total of 76,229 of indecent images of children.

The 73-year-old carried out the offences between May 9, 1997, and July 5 last year.

Of the indecent images that were found in Liew’s possession, a total of 425 of them were in Category A, the most serious kind, 437 in Category B, and 75,367 in Category C.

Category A images are the most vile and extreme sexual abuse imaginable.

Liew appeared at Basildon Crown Court yesterday, having previously admitting three charges at a hearing in Southend Magistrates’ Court.

Dressed in a navy blue coat and baseball cap, and speaking only to confirm his name and address.

Liew, of Central Avenue, Rochford, also faced charges of possession of a firearm, along with possession of ammunition for the firearm.

He admitted possessing the ammunition but did not enter a plea for the firearm.

The court heard there was a dispute over whether the pistol was an antique, and a provisional trial date has been fixed for August 10 next year.

Addressing Liew, Judge Samantha Cohen said: “We have fixed your trial date for August next year.

“You will be out on bail in the meantime.

“You must ensure you are there on that date, as if you do not it will be a criminal offence and you may be taken into custody.”

Liew was released on conditional bail; he cannot access the internet in any form and must not have unsupervised contact with children under 16.