A former Hampshire judge has been charged with child pornography offences.

David Selwood (69), who will appear at London's Bow Street Magistrates' Court next week, was charged on Monday after answering bail at Eastleigh police station, where he spent 75 minutes with his legal representatives.

Police confirmed he had been charged with 12 counts of making indecent images of a child in March and April this year, contrary to the Protection of Children Act 1978.

He was also charged with the possession of indecent photographs of children in April, 2004, contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

Mr Selwood, of Magdalen Hill, Winchester, was bailed to appear at Bow Street next Wednesday at 9.45am.

Officers swooped on the former army general's home on April 21st as part of a national crackdown on child pornography. He was arrested and questioned before being released on bail pending further inquiries.

Mr Selwood is married to Barbara, with whom he has three sons and a daughter. He was among 7,000 people under investigation after their credit card details were allegedly linked to an American child porn internet site.

The Lord Chancellor's Department confirmed that Mr Selwood had retired on June 2nd. He had been a circuit judge since 1992, sitting mainly at Portsmouth, but had presided over cases in Southampton and Winchester.

He studied at the School of Law and became a solicitor before going on to do National Service. He eventually reached the rank of major-general in the British Army.

Because he waited 12 years after being appointed before retiring, it is thought he will net a full £36,000 p.a. pension, plus a lump sum after giving up his position due to ill-health.