Torfaen school parents told of cleaner's child images

A Torfaen school has written to parents to inform them one of its cleaners has admitted making and possessing indecent images of children.

Parents of Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw pupils, at Trevethin, Pontypool, were told Michael James Rouf was suspended when the school was made aware of the case.

Torfaen council said none of the offences involved pupils at the school.

Rouf pleaded guilty to five offences and was handed a three-year community order at Newport Crown Court on Friday.

A spokesman for the authority said: "While we appreciate this is very distressing news for everyone in the school community, we can confirm that none of the offences involved any children at the school.

"The council and its partners are following the appropriate safeguarding protocols and as soon as the council was informed of the offences, the employee was suspended at the earliest opportunity.

"After the completion of the criminal case, formal disciplinary proceedings will follow."

'Serious abuse'

Det Con Chris Jayne, of Gwent police, said the force was "committed to investigating and bringing to justice" those who possess, make or distribute indecent images of children.

"These are not victimless crimes, they encourage serious abuse of children," he added.

"Gwent Police will continue to pursue any offenders who commit this type of abhorrent crime."