A PAEDIATRIC nurse has been suspended from duty after being charged with downloading and possessing child pornography.

The nurse – who cannot be named for legal reasons – is alleged to have been caught with tens of thousands of indecent images while he worked at a children's intensive care unit in Edinburgh.

The 28-year-old, from Grangemouth, is awaiting trial after appearing on petition at Falkirk Sheriff Court in August.

He has been suspended from his duties with NHS Lothian and is the subject of an investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), who have banned him from practising for 18 months.

In a written ruling on the case, the NMC states: "The allegations against the registrant are very serious indeed, the registrant having been charged with criminal offences relating to possession of indecent images of children for which he is now on conditional bail awaiting trial.

"He is also suspended from his employment."

An interim suspension order was granted by the NMC panel on September 7, pending the outcome of the court case.

A statement of reasons for the order reads: "It is alleged that there are tens of thousands of images which belonged to the registrant. At the time the registrant was employed as a nurse in a children's intensive care unit.

"The panel considered that the allegations, if proven, would cause serious harm to the public.

"The nature of the allegations and the circumstances of the registrants' employment give the panel serious concerns that there would be a risk of repetition.

"Further, the allegations are such that it is necessary steps be taken to ensure the public con-fidence in the profession is maintained.

"The period of the order shall be for 18 months in order that the criminal matters can be concluded and to give time for the NMC to fully investigate the allegations and bring them to a conclusion."

However, the NMC confirmed the interim suspension order can be revoked early if the medic is found not guilty before the end of the 18-month period.

A spokeswoman for NHS Lothian confirmed the man has been suspended from his post.

However, she refused to comment or name the hospital where he worked.

The nurse appeared in private at the sheriff court charged with two offences under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act.

He made no plea or declaration and was released on bail. He will appear again for trial in the New Year.