A priest from Ruabon, near Wrexham, has pleaded guilty to two charges of making indecent images of a child.

Rev Samuel Erlandson, 36, was arrested and charged with the offences as he appeared in Mold Magistrates Court on 23rd November.

He was remanded into custody and will return to court for sentencing at Llandudno Magistrates Court on 30th December.

According to Wales Online, Erlandson, who has been a priest since 2014, served as the Aberconwy Mission Area leader for three years until 2023.

Following his appointment as chaplain at St David’s College in Llandudno, he was immediately removed from his duties when the charges were made.

The school has clarified that the charges are unrelated to any pupils.

The Church in Wales has expressed shock and sadness at the offences committed by one of its clergy members.

A spokesperson for the church said: “We are deeply appalled by this and our thoughts are with the victims of this case and all those affected by abuse.

"Our safeguarding team has worked closely with the police, and Mr. Erlandson’s permission to officiate as a cleric was revoked immediately after his arrest.

"Once the legal proceedings are concluded, the Church in Wales Disciplinary Tribunal will take further action.”

A spokesperson for St David’s College shared their distress over the news, saying: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the admission of these offences.

"Upon hearing about the arrest, we ensured that Reverend Erlandson had no further contact with the school community.

"Following his guilty plea, we immediately dismissed him from his position. As legal proceedings are still ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this time.”