A former headteacher of primary schools in Ceredigion, who was awarded the MBE for services to education, has been jailed for child sex offences.

David Watkin Bundock, 74, admitted six offences - one of them committed after he had been arrested and granted bail.

Judge Keith Thomas, sitting at Swansea crown court, told Bundock he had achieved a great deal during his professional career but had then gone on to behave in a way that was the exact opposite to the moral values he had once championed.

Bundock, once the head of a Llandysul primary school, admitted four offences of possessing indecent images of children.

He also admitted attempting to communicate with a child aged under 16 for sexual reasons and, on 27 January, 2019, attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.

Bundock was jailed for two years and three months. He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and banned from ever working with children and must register with the police as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Jim Davis, prosecuting, said Bundock came to be of interest to the police after his telephone number was found on the mobile of a man arrested for indecent images offences.

But after being granted bail he was then snared by paedophile hunters who created an internet account of a fictional 15-year-old boy.

Bundock swapped indecent messages with the "boy" and travelled to a park in Carmarthen hoping to meet him.

But when he arrived he was confronted by members of the group and arrested later that day for a second time.

Bundock's barrister, India Cox, said his offending was completely out of character and difficult to explain.

Judge Thomas described the offences as appalling.

The offences took place place in Carmarthenshire and at his home at Valetta House, Cardiff.

Bundock went on to become a senior adviser with Ceredigion County Council's education department. In 2004 he was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

South Wales Police Det Insp Clive Bevan said: “Children are victimised not only when they are abused and an image is first taken; they are victimised repeatedly every time that image is viewed.

"Investigating sexual violence is a priority for South Wales Police and we are committed to investigating all reports of sexual abuse, including online in order to ensure that those who exploit the most vulnerable members of society are brought to justice.

“We have dedicated teams to help and support victims of sexual offences and we work closely with a number of agencies to whom we are able to signpost victims should they wish.

“South Wales Police urges anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse to come forward, safe in the knowledge that they will be treated with respect and dignity by our specialist officers.

“Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility and we urge anyone with information that could help police to contact 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

Det Sgt Llyr Williams, Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “In Dyfed-Powys Police we are committed to protecting those who are vulnerable in our communities.

“This investigation, in collaboration with South Wales Police, identified an individual who was intent on taking advantage of young children. With the advancement in technology criminals can operate from anywhere.

"Nevertheless, we will continue to work with our policing colleagues to bring those who harm innocent people to justice.

“We understand the concerns people have in relation to the safety of their children online and the desire to protect them. The police are best placed to deal with this.

“While police will not work with these groups, we have a responsibility to investigate evidence that a serious crime has been committed, regardless of where it comes from.

“If you have information about children at risk you can contact Crimestoppers, call police on 101 or in an emergency always call 999.”