Good heavens! Whatever next! A priest has admitted possessing indecent images of a child. Rev Samuel Erlandson, 36, from Ruabon was charged by North Wales Police with two counts of making indecent images of a child.
He was remanded into police custody to appear before Mold Magistrates Court on Saturday, November 23. Erlandson subsequently pleaded guilty to both offences and will appear before Llandudno Magistrates Court for sentencing on Monday, December 30.
Erlandson has been a priest since 2014 and was Aberconwy Mission Area leader for three years until 2023. He was then appointed as chaplain of St David's College in Llandudno. The school said he was withdrawn from the role as soon as the charges were made and dismissed after he pleaded guilty.
It is understood the charges do not relate to any pupils at the school.
A statement has been released by the Church in Wales. It said: "The Church in Wales is appalled and saddened that one of its clerics has committed such serious offences. Our prayers are with the victims in this case, and all victims of abuse.
"The Church in Wales safeguarding team has worked closely with the police and the statutory authorities in recent days. Immediately following his arrest, Mr Erlandson’s permission to officiate as a cleric was removed. Once the criminal proceedings have concluded, the Church in Wales Disciplinary Tribunal will consider further appropriate action.
"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."
A spokesperson for St. David’s College said: "We are deeply shocked and distressed by the news that Samuel Erlandson has admitted committing these deplorable offences. When we were told about his arrest we immediately took steps to ensure he had no further engagement with the school community, and as soon as we heard he had pleaded guilty we dismissed him from his role. We are unable to comment further as legal proceedings remain underway until he is sentenced on December 30."North Wales Police said anyone with concerns, or who wishes to make a report to detectives investigating this matter should contact them via our live webchat quoting ref Q179109. From...https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llandudno-private-school-chaplain-admits-30473713
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