Andrew Robinson, a retired priest of the Church in Wales, has appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court after admitting offences relating to indecent images of children.
He admitted the following offences:
- 13 cases of Possession/making category A images of children
- 20 cases of Possession/making category B images of children
- 196 cases of Possession/making category C images of children
- 327 cases of Possession/making prohibited images of children
He was sentenced to a 12 week custodial sentence, suspended for 2 years. He is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention order for 2 years.
Andrew Robinson was ordained in 1995 and served his whole ministry in the diocese of Swansea and Brecon. He was Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of Llanfeugan with Llanthetty with Llansantffraed-juxta-Usk and the Benefice of Llanfrynach and Cantref with Llanhamlach prior to his retirement in 2014. He held permission to officiate in the Diocese from 2014 until January 2024.
When police brought their investigation to the attention of the Church in Wales Safeguarding Team in January 2024, Andrew Robinson’s Permission to Officiate was immediately withdrawn. Following the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, the matter will be referred to the Church in Wales Disciplinary Tribunal, who will consider further appropriate action.
A spokesperson for the Church in Wales said: “These are abhorrent offences which exploit and promote the sexual abuse of children. We condemn this behaviour in the strongest possible terms and we hold the victims of these offences in our prayers. We are grateful to the police and to our own safeguarding team for their work in this matter. 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.
We encourage anyone with safeguarding concerns to contact a member of our team via the Church in Wales website:
- Web: https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/safeguarding/reporting-safeguarding-concern/
- Tel: 02920 348200
Alternatively, Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales. You can contact the Safe Spaces team by:
- Web: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
- Tel: 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times)
- Email: safespaces@firstlight.org.uk