A retired Breconshire priest has has been handed a suspended sentence after admitting to multiple offences involving indecent images of children.

Andrew Robinson, who served in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to multiple offences.

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

Robinson was sentenced to a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for two years. He is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention order for two years.

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attention of the Church in Wales Safeguarding Team in January 2024, Robinson’s Permission to Officiate was immediately withdrawn.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.”