LETTERS have been sent to parents of children who may have been in contact with a former County Council youth worker facing 16 charges relating to offences against children.

Pembrokeshire County Council said it was assisting the police in the case of Michael John Smith, 49, who appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 6.

Smith, of Prendergast, faces three charges of assaulting a boy under 13 by touching, five charges of inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity, two charges of taking indecent photos of a child, four charges of making indecent photos of a child and two charges of possessing indecent photos of a child.

No pleas were entered for the charges. The case will next be heard at Swansea Crown Court.

He was granted bail on the condition he reports to Haverfordwest Police Station at 10am everyday and hands over his passport to police.

A council spokesman said: “This is a prosecution of a private individual.

“Pembrokeshire County Council is working with the police to inquire if there are any other issues which may be considered and has written to parents of children who may have been in contact with him.

“The individual formerly worked as a youth worker with Pembrokeshire County Council. He was dismissed almost three years ago.”