A member of staff at a primary school was found in possession of indecent images of children, including the most serious category.

The man, identified as Steven Jones, 51, an employee of Ynyshir Primary School in Porth, was "immediately removed from the school" after the offenses came to light.

Jones pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of indecent images of children, including 109 category A images, 150 category B images, and 75 category C images. It's important to note that no pupils from the school were depicted in the images.

Jones was arrested on September 26 last year and admitted to the offenses. He was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Wednesday to 12 months imprisonment and was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.

Following the hearing, parents at Ynyshir Primary School received a letter from headteacher Paula Phillips, informing them of the situation and stating that the school, in partnership with the council, would undertake internal disciplinary processes to assess the employee's suitability for employment and make any necessary referrals to relevant professional bodies.

A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, on behalf of the school, released a statement expressing shock and dismay at the incident, emphasizing that while no school children were involved, the crimes had undoubtedly impacted many. They expressed hope that the sentence would help those affected and thanked South Wales Police for their work in keeping children and communities safe.

The school affirmed its commitment to working with partners and families to ensure the safety and protection of its learners, stating that this remains their absolute priority.