A JUDGE ordered the destruction of a USB stick seized from a Wotton-under-Edge paedophile's computer - despite his protests via video link from Dartmoor Prison.

Glenn Richards, serving a 10-month jail term, opposed the prosecution application for destruction of the USB stick at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday, saying it contained information vital to an appeal he has lodged against an earlier conviction in 2010.

But his protests that he had only just been told of the hearing and that he had no lawyer to represent him fell on deaf ears. His request for an adjournment of the application until after he is released from prison in July was rejected by Recorder Stephen Hall.

"I am going to order the destruction of the memory stick," he said. "If you need legal advice get in touch with your solicitor and get legal advice. Thank you - end of hearing."

Richards, 36, of Pitman Place, Wotton Under Edge, received the 10 months sentence in February after he admitted breaching a sex offenders prevention order.

He had been convicted of having sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16 in 2010 as well as a further charge of grooming and had been placed on a sex offenders prevention order until further notice.