Former Priest Guilty of Child Image Offences

A retired Church in Wales priest has pleaded guilty to possessing and making indecent images of children at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court. 📋

76-year-old Andrew Robinson admitted four charges during Tuesday’s hearing. He received a 12-week suspended sentence for two years and was issued a two-year Sexual Harm Prevention order.

Robinson’s offences included 13 counts of possessing/making category A images, 20 counts of category B images, 196 counts of category C images, and 327 counts of possessing/making prohibited images of children.

The former clergyman was ordained in 1995 and served in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon until his retirement in 2014. Despite retiring, he was permitted to continue practising his duties through the Church’s permission to officiate process until January 2024, when his licence was revoked.

The Church in Wales has strongly condemned Robinson’s actions, with a spokesperson stating: “There is no place for any form of abuse in the Church in Wales.”

The Church expressed gratitude to police and their safeguarding team while confirming the case has been referred to its disciplinary tribunal for further action. They emphasised their commitment to protecting children and vulnerable people through regular reviews of safeguarding procedures and training.

Anyone with concerns is encouraged to contact the Church’s safeguarding team via their website.