PRIEST SPARED JAIL OVER INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN

A former school chaplain and rector who was found with extreme pornography and indecent images of children on his phone has been spared jail. Samuel Erlandson, aged 36, from Ruabon, Wrexham, admitted two charges of making an indecent image of a child and one count of extreme pornography that featured abuse of a boxer dog. Llandudno Magistrates' Court was informed that he had "extremely disturbing" images of young children. He was dismissed from his role as chaplain of St David’s College, a boarding school in Llandudno, Conwy county. Prosecutor Alys Haf stated that Erlandson was "a trusted man in society," officiating at weddings. It was revealed that two indecent images of children and extreme pornography involving a dog and a woman were found on his mobile phone at the time of his arrest in November. The images depicted children aged from three to eight years old. The judge, Gwyn Jones, imposed a 32-week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months. Erlandson was also ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid work, pay £272 in costs, and register as a sex offender for ten years. Additionally, a sexual harm prevention order was issued. The court emphasized the seriousness of the offense due to real children being depicted. It was noted that Erlandson held positions as rector of St Hilary’s Church in Llanrhos and St Paul’s in Llandudno. The church and school expressed deep shock and distress, with the Church in Wales stressing its commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable individuals. The case follows wider issues of abuse in institutions, with related stories about church cover-ups and other offenders. The court and institutions are reviewing safeguarding procedures to prevent future abuses.