Reverend Samuel Erlandson had been a ‘trusted’ community figure in Llandudno, North Wales, before admitting to possession horrifying animal and child abuse images featuring children as young as three
A former school rector found to possess child abuse images featuring kids as young as three has walked free from court.
Reverend Samuel Erlandson was spared jail after pleading guilty to two counts of making an indecent image of a child. The 36-year-old school chaplain, “a trusted man in society” who also officiated at weddings, also admitted to having extreme porn featuring someone having sex with a boxer dog.
Llandudno magistrates court heard disturbing details about the material discovered on Erlandson’s mobile phone after he was arrested in November. Alys Haf, prosecuting the case, told the court two indecent images were discovered and extreme porn featuring the dog and a female.
Ms Haf said the child abuse images were “extremely disturbing, from ages of three to eight years old.” The court also heard Erlandson had been using the messaging app Kik, on which he was sent the images. His offending meant that he no longer worked for the church and was now living with his father and claiming Universal Credit.
David Jones, in mitigation, said: “Clearly it’s a very difficult case. There’s a breach of trust.” He added: “He’s been dealing with an addiction for many years. Unfortunately he got involved with Kik which seems to be a very unpleasant messaging site with various groups on it. He’s found himself getting deeper and darker into this chat. He’s received these images.
“He’s genuinely remorseful for what’s happened.” District Judge Gwyn Jones said Erlandson’s offending was made far worse by the position of trust he was in.
“You were trusted within the community not only because of you being ordained but also with regard to your position within the school in question,” Ms Jones said. “No doubt those who have connections with both organisations will need to consider whether appropriate steps were taken by them to ensure everybody was safeguarded.”
Giving him a suspended sentence of 32 weeks, suspended for 18 months, the DJ said: “Offences of this nature are very, very serious in there are real children depicted in these images.”
“You are walking out of court. But your risk will be monitored closely,” Judge Jones added. Erlandson, from Llanrwst, North Wales, had been rector of St Hilary’s Church and St Paul’s at Llandudno.
Previously the Church declared in a statement: “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.” It is understood the charges do not involve pupils at the school.
A rehabilitation activity was imposed and Erlandson must carry out 160 hours unpaid work. The defendant must pay £272 costs and register as a sex offender for ten years. A sexual harm prevention order was also made.
