A NURSE who kept animal pornography on his phone and had a "developing" sexual interest in children faced a lifelong ban from the profession at a formal disciplinary hearing yesterday.

Former Furness General Hospital nurse Richard Hewson was caught with sickening images on his handset after his wife found them and dialled 999.

The 41-year-old admitting making indecent or pseudo photographs of a child and possessing extreme pornographic images at Preston Crown Court in February.

Hewson, of Ulverston Road, Dalton, was handed a 12-month sentence suspended for two years and ordered to wear an electronic tag for three months.

He chose not to attend his disciplinary hearing at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, in London, this morning and sent a letter to the NMC saying he was "content" for the case to go ahead.

Ruth Alabaster, for the NMC, told the hearing: "On February 22 last year police were called to Mr Hewson's home following concerns about his welfare.

"Mr Hewson's wife had found some pictures on his mobile phone and called the police.

"They seized his mobile phone and analysed the images.

"A series of still and moving pornographic images were discovered and he was charged with the offences.

"On 23 December 2016 he pleaded guilty to all five counts on the indictment.

"He acknowledged that his behaviour was profoundly wrong and his developing sexual interest needed addressing.

"Mr Hewson admits that his fitness to practise is currently impaired by reason of his misconduct.

"He has accepted that, in the past, and he is liable to do so in the future to bring the profession into disrepute."

Miss Alabaster said a striking-off order was the only appropriate sanction to take.

She added: "It is agreed between the NMC and Mr Hewson that his sexual interest in children provides a continuing risk to the public.

"The seriousness of offending and the position of seniority he held pose a serious risk to the integrity of the profession."

Hewson had been registered to work as an adult nurse since 2004.

A spokesman for the hospital confirmed earlier this year that he was no longer an employee.

If the NMC panel conclude Hewson's fitness to practise is impaired, he could be banned from working as a nurse for good.

The hearing continues.