A FORMER spokesman for Halstead Youth Council has been accused of 66 sex offences against dozens of children.

Connor Allen-Howe is accused of using Skype to entice young boys into sexual acts.

The vile allegations include claims he tried to convince children to carry out sexual activity on animals and on themselves.

He is alleged to have made as many as 33 young boys, aged 12 to 17, sex crime victims.

It is claimed Allen-Howe, of Nash Court, Halstead, would engage with the children via video chat from his home.

The 20-year-old appeared alone at Colchester Magistrates' Court today, in his shirt and tie and with slicked back hair. He spoke only to confirm his name and address.

David Bryant, prosecuting, told the court an investigation had been carried out by a specialist unit, which looked into his alleged activities on video chats between November 2012 and May 2014.

He was subsequently charged with six counts of causing or inciting a boy to engage in sexual activity involving penetration.

Allen-Howe was charged with 23 counts of causing or inciting a boy to engage in sexual activity without penetration.

He was also charged with 26 counts of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child and 11 counts of making indecent images of children.

Many of the details within the charges are too obscene to publish.

Among the offences Allen-Howe is accused of enticing a boy aged between 13 and 15-years-old to commit extreme acts on himself between March 2013 and March 2014.

He is charged with involving dozens of children in pornography.

Allen-Howe is accused of causing or inciting one alleged victim to carry out acts on a dog.

During a search of a home in Halstead police recovered a laptop allegedly belonging to Allen-Howe.

It contained more than 100 pornographic images of children including at least ten in category A which cover the most vile and obscene level of images.

Allen-Howe was bailed to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 21 when he is due to formally enter pleas to all charges.