A 73-year-old Christchurch man has been warned he may face imprisonment over internet activities that included viewing images of toddlers and webcam sessions with a teenager.

Department of Internal Affairs inspectors have traced the teenager who says she feels "grossed out and dirty" about being taken in and exploited by an adult male.

Webcam images of the girl were found on the computer of Dennis John Batchelor, retired, who today pleaded guilty to 30 charges of possessing, making or copying objectionable publications.

At a Christchurch District Court session at the Nga Hau e Wha marae today, Judge Gary MacAskill remanded him on bail for sentencing on November 1.

He asked for the report to cover sentences of community detention or home detention but warned Batchelor that he was also a candidate for imprisonment.

He asked for a psychologist's report before sentencing and also a psychiatric report if the Probation Service thought it would be appropriate.

Prosecutor Anselm Williams said Batchelor was caught with objectionable images after an investigation in 2010 and 2011 and immediately began a programme for sex offenders.

When Batchelor was investigated and visited again this year, it was found he had re-established contact with an American man who was also interested in the sexual exploitation of young girls.

Images of the teenage girl were found among Batchelor's files. He had begun contacting her about five years previously, when she was aged 12.

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