A CLEANER who worked at a Torfaen secondary school has avoided prison after he admitted to owning indecent images of children.

Michael Rouf, 25, of Church Avenue, Trevethin, Pontypool, pleaded guilty to six charges of making or possessing indecent images of children at Newport Crown Court on Friday, March 10.

He received a three year community order for the offences, and a spokesman from the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Rouf was in possession of images from categories A, B and C in terms of the severity of the content.

In a letter seen by the South Wales Argus, parents and guardians of students at the Welsh medium school, were made aware of the matter on the same day as the sentencing.

“We are sorry to have to inform you (parents and guardians) that Mr Michael James Rouf, who worked as a cleaner at Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw has this week been sentenced for possession of indecent images of children,” stated the letter, written by Ellis Griffiths, the school’s head teacher, Helen Rogers, the deputy head, and Rhian James, the school’s deputy safeguarding officer.

“Mr Rouf was suspended from work as soon as the school was aware of the offences and formal disciplinary proceedings will start following the outcome of the criminal case.

“We appreciate this is extremely distressing news for everyone in our school community, but can assure you that the case does not involve any of the children at our school.

“If you have any concerns or issues on this case you would like to discuss, then please contact either myself, Miss Helen Rogers, deputy head, or Miss Rhian James, deputy safeguarding officer,” stated the letter.

A Torfaen council spokesman said: “We can confirm that a Torfaen council employee who worked as a cleaner at Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw has been sentenced for possession of indecent images of children.

“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. Rouf will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and will be the sex offenders register for a period of five years.

“After the completion of the criminal case, formal disciplinary proceedings will follow,” he added.

DC Chris Jayne, the officer who led the investigation for Gwent Police, said: "Gwent Police is committed to investigating and bringing to justice those who are responsible for possessing, making or distributing indecent images of children.

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

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