2nd Jul 2024
Teacher Neil Foden found guilty of sexual offences
Former head teacher Neil Foden aged 66, from Old Colwyn in Conwy county, was today convicted at Mold Crown Court of 12 counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of sexual activity with a child while he was in a position of trust. His offending also included one count each of causing or inciting child sexual activity, attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence, sexual communication with a child, possession of indecent photographs of a child and sexual assault of a child. Following an earlier Trial in May this year was found not guilty of one count of sexual activity with a fifth girl.
Five girls, who cannot be identified, accused him of sexual abuse between January 2019 and September 2023.
Across the three-and-a-half week trial, the court heard how the head teacher groomed and abused the youngsters over a four year period, in locations including his car and hotel rooms.
Foden was arrested after one victim showed an adult a photo of them together and screenshots of messages about oral sex.
Foden has been jailed for 17 years after the Court heard his sexual abuse spanned a period of four years. Foden was barred from ever working with children and has been registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Foden joined Ysgol Friars in Bangor, Gwynedd, as a deputy head in 1989, becoming headteacher in 1997. He was also strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle secondary school in Penygroes.
Sentencing Foden Judge Rhys Rowlands said he was "depraved", "arrogant", and a "bully".
Foden was said to be “bombastic and a domineering character, and a man looked up to, who was hiding a dreadful secret… an obsession with young teenage girls. "You felt like no-one would stand up to you, you believed the victims would never disclose. You have no remorse… not shown an ounce of contrition and have no insight into the very serious harm you have caused”.
Judge Rowlands commended the courage of Foden’s victims in coming forward, saying,
"It is clear that, were it not for the courage of the victims and support offered by their families and the thoroughness of the investigation by police, there is every possibility you would have continued to offend."
Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Evans of North Wales Police said:
"We share the shock and revulsion of our communities towards his actions. "I can't overstate the impact that this has had on our communities, and particularly on young people in the area."
He added, "the courage and strength" of the victims was "admired by everyone" and had "saved future generations from being victims at the hands of Neil Foden".
The judge added it was possible that the fact that no formal investigation ensued after senior members of staff raised concerns over Foden's behaviour with Gwynedd's county council - Cyngor Gwynedd - "emboldened" him to continue his behaviour.
Samantha Robson, who has specialised in sexual abuse claims for the past 24 years, has conducted numerous claims against schools. She has gained 6 figure sums for numerous survivors of teaching staff, including teachers and support staff, across her long career. She has gained compensation for survivors of convicted paedophiles Michael Wilde at Wade Deacon in Widnes; Simon Parsons at Castle School in Thornbury; Graham Gilmour at Eastside School in Hampshire; Anthony Leake at Fleetwood Chaucer Community Primary School in Lancashire; Nigel Leat at Hillside School in Worle; Glyn Jones at Lynn Grove High School in Gorleston; Andrew Bland at Millennium Primary School in London to name some of her successful claims. If you would like to speak to Sam on a confidential, no obligation basis, please call her on her direct dial 01392 345331 or email her at sam@robsonshaw.uk. We run a 24/7 service and do not employ unqualified or inexperienced staff. An experienced solicitor will be available to answer your queries and conduct your claim from beginning to end.
Category: Schools