A Royal Navy officer accused of trying to procure a ten-year-old girl for sex via the internet and for distributing child porn has appeared in court.

Jeremy Pepper, 31, of The Upper Drive, Hove, was caught by an undercover US Customs officer after allegedly seeking out a youngster for sex via a chatroom.

Pepper, a chief petty officer based at the HMS Drake in Plymouth, faces further charges of attempting to incite the officer to send him indecent images.

The sailor is also accused of distributing child pornography and of making more than 400 indecent images of youngsters.

Pepper appeared at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court yesterday for a plea and directions hearing.

But the proceedings were adjourned for further directions at the request of Pepper's defence team.

No pleas were entered and Pepper was remanded on conditional bail.

Judge Henry Blacksell, QC, told him: "I will grant you bail to the same addresses with the other conditions, no travel out of the United Kingdom, passport to be surrendered and no use of the internet.

"I have adjourned the case until February 6. You do not have to attend if your legal advisers do not want you here."