A pensioner stashed more than 1,500 vile images of children at the home he shared with his wife.
Police made the discovery on electronic devices belonging to Norman Thrush when they searched his Washington address in November last year.
The 71-year-old is now facing a possible stint behind bars after pleading guilty to two counts making indecent images of a child during a hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.
Wearing a black leather jacket and staring at the floor while his wife watched from the public gallery, Thrush sat as details of the case were read out.
Prosecutor Oriana Frame said: "The images involved are category B and C, two category B and 1,500 category C still images.
"The home address of the defendant was searched as a result of a warrant. Devices have been seized and examined by officers and those level of images are found."
Miss Frame suggested that the case was unsuitable to be concluded at the magistrates' court.
Greg Flaxen, defending, agreed and said Thrush should be sent to Newcastle Crown Court for sentence.
He added: "I don't think the court will ever see this man again after this case is finalised."
District Judge Davies told Thrush: "You have pleaded guilty to two offences today and I have decided these matters are too serious and should be finalised at the crown court."
Thrush, of Athelhampton, Washington, was released on conditional bail to next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on December 4.
In the meantime, he must inform police if he has a device capable of accessing the internet and must have no unsupervised contact with children.
