Jeff Jones has stepped down as a local councillor

Last year, Jeff Jones wrote to Children's Commissioner Peter Clarke saying he was "appalled" at the conduct of the Clywch inquiry into paedophile teacher John Owen.

Milwyn Jarman, QC for the commissioner said: "He was writing directly to the commissioner. It is a contempt to try to undermine his authority."

At Cardiff County Court, Justice Jack reserved his decision until 28 July.

Mr Clarke's inquiry - which published its findings earlier this month - investigated how drama teacher Owen was allowed to resign from his job at Welsh language comprehensive school Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen in Pontypridd in 1991.

Owen committed suicide in 2001 shortly before he was to stand trial over allegations by former pupils.

If I had known the letter would have led me to sitting here on a contempt charge then I would never have sent it Jeff Jones

Mr Jones' letter sent his letter last year, before the commissioner had published his report.

In it, he said he believed the inquiry had become a "witch-hunt".

He wrote: "I've been frankly appalled at the way the inquiry was conducted and I've already sent a letter to [First Minister] Rhodri Morgan expressing this view.

"I have stayed silent for too long."

On Friday, the court heard Mr Jones had later apologised to parents of the schools involved if his letter caused any offence.

Mr Jones told the court he had written the letter in anger.

Peter Clarke published the Clywch report in July

"If I had known the letter would have led me to sitting here on a contempt charge then I would never have sent it," he said.

Mr Clarke's damning report into the scandal was published on 1 July.

In it, he said the former drama teacher John Owen was a serial sex abuser and that an education official's failures in investigating him could amount to a criminal act.