The head teacher of two Welsh schools has been found guilty of sexually abusing four girls over a four-year period. Neil Foden from Old Colwyn in Conwy county, was convicted of 19 charges of sexual abuse and has denied these charges at Mold Crown Court, claiming he had no physical contact with the girls, and although he was found not guilty of sexual activity with a fifth girl, the judge stated that there was “quite compelling evidence of serious sexual offending” and Foden had committed a “grave breach of trust”. He will be sentenced at the court on 1 July.
Foden joined Ysgol Friars in Bangor, Gwynedd, as a deputy head in 1989, becoming headteacher in 1997. He was also the strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle secondary school in Penygroes. The accused abused five girls who cannot be identified, between January 2019 and September 2023, which they reported in due time leading to Foden’s conviction. The severity of the charges brought to surface the extent of Foden’s offenses which were described as “quite compelling.”
The judge remarked that some of the justifications put forwards by Foden, “frankly beggared belief,” which reflects the depths this convicted headteacher tried to go to, to protect himself. As a headteacher, he betrayed the trust of the pupils and their parents; Foden committed an unforgivable offense costing the wellbeing of four innocent girls. The upcoming sentencing of the accused will be imperative, as it will ensure justice is served and protect children against such evil crimes.
Let this instance be a reminder to educational institutions, parents, and guardians that all hands must be on deck when it comes to the protection of children. Educational institutions must establish strong safeguarding practices based on evidence-based safeguarding guidelines to avoid any form of sexual abuse. Educators who perpetrate such crimes should face consequences and be held accountable for such conduct
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