Donald Martin, 49, from Wingham faces Taree court charged with possessing child abuse material

A gardener in his 40s described as well-known in a small town near Taree has allegedly been caught by police with a huge stash of child abuse images and videos.

Donald Martin is often seen walking around the small town of Wingham, around a number of primary schools, court documents state.

Police have allegedly found more than 23,000 images and videos depicting child abuse on a Wingham man’s computer.

Donald Martin appeared in Taree Local Court on Monday charged with two counts of possessing child abuse material.

The 49-year-old had been remanded in custody since his arrest at Wingham on August 4, where he was living with his elderly mother.

Defence lawyer Andrew Giles asked Magistrate Allison Hawkins for Martin to be released on bail to live at the home of a psychologist at Bootawa, a semi rural area near Wingham.

Martin is a self-employed gardener with no criminal history.

He has lived in Taree and Wingham, a village nearby, all of his adult life, Mr Giles told the court.

Court documents state Donald Martin does not have a driver’s licence and is often seen walking around the small town of Wingham, where three primary schools are located.

Police documents tendered to the court state Martin is well-known in the Wingham area as he is often seen walking around town because he does not have a driver’s licence.

The documents note there is three primary schools in the area.

Police prosecutor Cherie Harmer told the court she “strongly opposed” granting Martin bail.

She told the court a “sample” of more than 23,000 images and videos on Martin’s phone detected solely child abuse material.

Police allege in the documents Martin showed little remorse and tried to justify his actions when he was caught.

Ms Hawkins denied bail and adjourned the case to August 21.

Martin is expected to enter a plea on the day.