A Catholic priest from South Wales has narrowly avoided jail after admitting to sending violent, racist messages in neo-Nazi chatrooms. The court heard that Father Mark Rowles, 49, was identified by anti-terror detectives through digital forensics linking him to extremist Telegram groups, where he posted material targeting minority communities and encouraged violence.
Following his guilty plea at Cardiff Crown Court, Rowles was sentenced to a community order rather than immediate custody. The court's decision was heavily influenced by his mental health issues, which the judge cited as a significant factor in avoiding a custodial sentence.
