Llandudno school chaplain spared jail for indecent child images

District judge Gwyn Jones imposed a 32-week jail term, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 160 hours unpaid work, pay £272 in costs and register as a sex offender for ten years.

A sexual harm prevention order was also made.

“Offences of this nature are very, very serious in there are real children depicted in these images,” Judge Jones remarked

“The matter is made worse by virtue of your position within the community.

“You were trusted within the community not only because of you being ordained but also with regard to your position within the school in question.

“No doubt those who have connections with both organisations will need to consider whether appropriate steps were taken by them to ensure everybody was safeguarded.”

Erlandson was also rector of St Hilary’s Church in Llanrhos and St Paul’s in Llandudno.

St. David’s College previously said said it was “deeply shocked and distressed by the news”.

The Church in Wales previously said it was “appalled and saddened that one of its clerics has committed such serious offences”.

The church said its safeguarding team worked with the police following Erlandson’s arrest and would consider further action once the criminal case was finished.

“There is no place for any form of abuse in the Church in Wales.

“We give the highest priority to the care and protection of children and vulnerable people in our communities.

“To this end we regularly review our safeguarding procedures and provide extensive training to staff and volunteers.”