Charged with possessing, manufacturing, distributing child porn. Very difficult to believe this is true, isn't it?

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2003

Answers

BBC - Rock star Pete Townshend has been arrested by police following a search of his home after he admitted viewing images of child pornography on the internet.

He has been detained on suspicion of possessing and making indecent images of children and of incitement to distribute such images, said Scotland Yard.

The guitarist is in custody at a south-west London Police station.

The guitarist has admitted he gave his credit card details to see a child porn website, but insisted he had done so for research and was not a paedophile.

Police earlier spent over four hours searching the 57-year-old's home in Richmond, south-west London.

Consent

They arrived at the house at 1500 GMT and were accompanied by four detectives who interviewed him.

The operation was agreed by mutual consent said Mr Townshend's solicitor.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman outside Mr Townshend's home said: "There will be a thorough and detailed search of the premises. It will take as long as necessary."

She said a search warrant had been obtained and computer forensics officers were among those attending.

Mr Townshend was driven away by police at about 1930 GMT.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2003