A former pastor from Hårslev Sogn in southern Zealand, Denmark, has confessed in a court in Næstved to possessing over 80,000 images and videos involving sexual material of minors. The 60-year-old, who was working as a parish priest, expressed deep remorse for his actions. Following his confession, he had previously been on sick leave, then suspended, and ultimately resigned from his position due to the ongoing legal proceedings.

The court is scheduled to deliver a verdict on February 25, where it will consider both the length of the sentence and the prosecution's request that the pastor be stripped of his ability to work as a priest. The prosecutor is seeking a minimum sentence of six months imprisonment, arguing that the sentence should possibly be between eight to nine months, given the severity of the crime. This contrasts with the defense's stance, which suggests that a maximum punishment of five months would be more appropriate given the circumstances.

This case highlights growing concerns in Denmark regarding the possession and distribution of child pornography, as well as the role of individuals in positions of trust. It raises significant questions about accountability in such positions and the legal frameworks in place to protect children from exploitation, indicating a societal push towards stricter penalties for offenders in similar cases.