Former council youth worker jailed for child sex offences

A former youth worker with Pembrokeshire County Council has been jailed for six years after he admitted child sex offences.

Michael John Smith, aged 49, was a line manager with Pembrokeshire Youth Service who was sacked after “several warnings” about inappropriate behaviour towards young people.

Smith, of Prendergast, Haverfordwest, admitted three offences of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13, four of causing or inciting the child to engage in sexual activity, two of taking indecent photographs of the child, four of making indecent images and one of possessing 1,136 indecent images of children.

Smith was jailed for six years for causing the child to engage in sexual activity, four for sexual assault, two for videoing the abuse and 12 months for possessing indecent photographs, all to run concurrently.

He was also banned from working with children for life and ordered to register with the police as a sex offender, again for life.

Pembrokeshire County Council issued a statement following conviction. It said, “Pembrokeshire County Council welcomes the conviction of Michael Smith at Swansea Crown Court. Justice has been achieved for a vulnerable young person and our thoughts are with that young person and their family.

“An effective piece of joint working between the Police and Social Services in Pembrokeshire has contributed to this successful prosecution.

“The offences for which he has been convicted do not relate to his period of employment with the Council.”

Smith was employed as a youth worker for Pembrokeshire County Council but was dismissed in January, 2012.