FOOTBALL COACH FOUND WITH INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN
A sports coach was found in possession of indecent images depicting child abuse after police attended his home and seized his mobile phone.Internet search terms on the phone included "young gymnast" and "girl cheerleaders".
Ciaran Bright, 30, was visited by officers at his home in Cardiff on July 25 last year after an investigation was launched by South Wales Police.
The force had received a referral from social media company Kik relating to an individual uploading indecent images of children being sexually abused.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Friday heard a mobile phone was seized from the defendant's possession.
Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here An examination of the phone resulted in the discovery of indecent images.
These included two category A images, two category B images, and four category C images.
The images had been downloaded between April 2 and July 18, 2025.
Search terms had been made on various internet browsers which included the terms "young gymnast", "girl cheerleaders" and "children on leashes".
Bright, of Pennsylvania, Pentwyn, later pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.
The court heard he was of previous good character.
On his LinkedIn page, Bright described himself as a director of SportsXtra and working with clubs including Cardiff City FC and Swansea City FC.
In mitigation, the court was told the defendant's life had "spiralled" due to his use of drugs but he has now made efforts to address.
It was said he has lost his career and is now unemployed but his family are supportive of him, and there was no evidence he had direct contact with a child.
Bright was sentenced to nine months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.
The defendant was ordered to carry out a 14-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours unpaid work.
He was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.
A spokesperson for SportsXtra said: "We are very shocked by this news, and are deeply dismayed that Ciaran has behaved in such a deplorable way." "Safeguarding is our highest priority and as soon as we learned about the allegations against Ciaran we immediately suspended him, in line with our procedures, and ensured he had no further contact with young people." "We remain committed to maintaining the trust placed in us and continue to review our safeguarding policies to ensure the strongest possible protections are in place."
