“Nobody ever said where he had gone, so everyone assumed he was teaching at another school or club”
Parents have spoken of their shock after learning that a football coach who worked closely with primary school children has been exposed as a paedophile who hoarded indecent images of children.
Ciaran Bright, 30, is understood to have spent several years working in what was effectively a PE teaching role at Christ the King Catholic Primary School in Llanishen, Cardiff.
As we reported last week, Bright was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, after admitting downloading eight indecent images of children. Following the case, he lost his job with Sports Xtra Cardiff, a company that provides sports activities for children aged four to 12.
It can now be revealed that Bright worked at Christ the King Primary School, where Sports Xtra delivers PE sessions during the school day as well as after-school clubs. His duties included one-to-one coaching with pupils.
Bright was arrested in July and suspended from his role, but parents say they were only made aware of the case last week after it was reported by WalesOnline.
“Nobody ever said where he had gone, so everyone assumed he was teaching in another school or club,” one parent said.
“I’m really shocked. The fact that he had contact with children during class time, after school and in holiday clubs is deeply alarming.
“Why on earth has the school not contacted parents to encourage us to talk to our own children about any interactions they may have had with him? Surely some form of statement should have been issued.”
In early July, Bright emailed parents at Christ the King advertising a £228 package of six one-to-one football coaching sessions during the summer holidays. Later that month he was arrested after the messaging app Kik alerted police that he had accessed child abuse material.
The court heard the images were downloaded between April 2 and July 18. Bright’s internet searches included terms such as “young gymnast”, “girl cheerleaders” and “children on leashes”.
Cardiff Council and the school said they had been unable to contact parents at the time because doing so could have risked prejudicing the legal process. However, Bright pleaded guilty to the offences almost five weeks ago.
A council spokesman said: “Following notification that the individual was suspended by the company, we received assurances from the police that the alleged offences were committed away from the workplace and do not involve any children in any of our schools.”
Bright, of Pennsylvania, Pentwyn, admitted downloading two category A images — the most serious classification — as well as two category B and four category C images. Cardiff Magistrates’ Court was told he had no previous convictions.
On his LinkedIn profile, Bright described himself as a director of Sports Xtra and claimed to have worked with clubs including Cardiff City and Swansea City. Cardiff City has said he has never worked for the club, and Swansea City has been approached for comment.
The court heard that Bright’s life had “spiralled” due to drug use, but that he had since taken steps to address his problems. He was described as unemployed but supported by his family, and there was no evidence of any direct abuse of a child.
In addition to the suspended prison sentence, Bright was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and a 14-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.
Sports Xtra’s relationship with Christ the King Primary School has previously drawn criticism over claims that children were “segregated” during school hours if they did not pay to take part in a fundraising event.
Responding to Bright’s conviction, a spokesman for Sports Xtra said: “We are extremely shocked by this news and deeply dismayed by Ciaran’s deplorable behaviour.
“Safeguarding is our highest priority and, as soon as we became aware of the allegations, 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.”
In a joint statement, the council and the school said: “Ciaran Bright was an employee of Sports Xtra, a private company providing sports activities.
“The safety and wellbeing of children and young people remain our priority, and our schools have robust safeguarding measures in place.”
