23rd Apr 2024

Former headteacher of a secondary school in Wales on trial for sexual offences against 5 complainants

Neil Foden, headteacher of Ysgol Friars, a co-educational comprehensive school in Bangor and the strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, a Welsh language school in Penygroes, is currently on trial at Mold Crown Court.  Foden aged 66 has been charged with 13 counts of sexual activity with a child, 2 counts of sexual activity of a child in a position of trust and 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.

Foden is accused of sexual assaults in relation to 5 complainants, but he has denied any wrongdoing.  One of the complainants showed an adult an image of her and Foden on her phone and screenshots of their conversations which referred to oral sex and the police were then called.  Foden is said to have a fetish for urination and he would encourage one of his victims to drink water and he would then push on her bladder. The alleged offences are said to have occurred over a 4 year period.    On the second day of the trial, the jury of 7 women and 5 men watched the video interview of the main complainant, child A, that she gave to detectives. She was told by Foden that she must never say what they were doing and had to `take it to the grave' and not tell anyone. The trial continues and is likely to last up to 4 weeks.

Samantha Robson of specialist firm Robsonshaw solicitors, has dealt with numerous sexual abuse claims in relation to schools over the past 24 years.   In one of her more recent High Court cases she won over a quarter of a million pounds for a survivor of childhood sexual abuse at a primary school. Sam has represented victims of notorious paedophile at Hillside school in Worle, Nigel Leat; a group of males sexually abused by Michael Wilde, convicted teacher at Wade Deacon Grammar School; and countless other young people abused by teachers in both private and comprehensive schools. To speak to Sam on a confidential, no obligation basis, please email her at sam@robsonshaw.uk, or telephone her on 01392 345331.

Category: Schools