A Canadian web chat firm was unwilling to help a child porn probe in Britain, a judge was told on Thursday.

The prosecution dropped a charge of distributing an indecent image against a 59–year-old Ruthin man after he maintained it was sent from one of his KIK accounts to another.

Barrister Ffion Tomos, prosecuting at Caernarfon crown court In North Wales, said no evidence was offered. “The Crown can’t disprove that the second KIK account wasn’t his. KIK is a Canadian-based company. They have been contacted and are not willing to provide any assistance.”

Martin Casoria, of Haulfryn, Ruthin, denied the distribution allegation. But he pleaded guilty to three offences of possessing indecent images of children.

He was bailed for a pre-sentence report. Judge Huw Rees said he was considering a community order.