Morecambe man accused of sexually grooming young girl tried to kill himself, court heard

Michael Whitaker, aged 33, is also charged with possessing over 10,000 pornographic pictures of children and distributing them to paedophiles.

Whitaker, of Albert Road, Morecambe is further charged with sexually touching a girl and possessing extreme pornography. He did not enter a plea.

Liz Hatton prosecuting at Blackpool Magistrates Court objected to bail stating there fears for his own safety because he had prepared to take his own life by hanging and had written his own will.

Magistrates said Whitaker would have to stand trial at Preston Crown Court where he will appear on August 17. He was remanded in custody by magistrates until that date.

An offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, sexually touched a girl is a crime which can be punishable by a prison sentence of up to 14 years.