A “malevolent” paedophile headteacher who exploited young girls to fulfill his “depraved desires” has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.
Neil Foden, a prominent and influential headteacher in north Wales, was apprehended in September 2023 while employed at a school.
The 66-year-old was subsequently convicted in May of 19 offenses related to the abuse of four girls between 2019 and 2023. Concerns about his behavior towards one of the victims were raised by teachers in 2019, but were not investigated by the education authorities.
One parent called the lack of investigation “unforgivable,” stating that a thorough inquiry “could have prevented further abuse.”
During the sentencing at Mold Crown Court, Judge Rhys Rowlands stated that Foden was “driven” by his perverse fetishes. He described Foden as a “domineering” and “overbearing” individual, admired by many but hiding a “horrific secret”—a sexual obsession with young teenage girls.
The judge remarked, “Your actions stemmed from an arrogant belief in your invulnerability, thinking no one would dare challenge you.”
“It is evident you feel no remorse. You have not expressed a shred of regret for your actions, nor do you understand the profound harm you’ve inflicted on both your victims and their families.”
Once a powerful figure in north Wales education, Foden led schools and held a senior position in a teaching union. He was known as an authoritarian who achieved results, though his leadership style was divisive.
In reality, Neil Foden was a tyrant, bullying pupils and staff, using his authority to silence dissenters.
Foden, from Old Colwyn, began his teaching career in 1979. He quickly advanced and joined Ysgol Friars in Bangor as deputy head in 1989. By 1996, he became the headteacher of Friars, one of the most prestigious schools in northwest Wales, overseeing around 1,200 students. His strict rule enforcement earned him a polarizing reputation. He also served as an executive member for Wales in the National Union of Teachers, which later merged to form the National Education Union.
This solidified his influence in the teaching profession, making him possibly the most high-profile headteacher in North Wales. He frequently appeared in the media, including discussions on sexual harassment in schools in 2021.
His dominion expanded when he was appointed strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle secondary school in Penygroes.
Two of Foden’s four victims chose to confront him in court without screens, reading statements about the abuse’s impact on their lives.
One victim said, “He manipulated my body and mind, leaving me exhausted and constantly unwell.”
Another stated, “I believe he wanted to hurt me for reporting him,
Another victim’s statement, read in court, detailed the psychological manipulation Foden employed. “I believed him when he said he loved me and that I was the only one he wanted,” she recounted. “What Mr. Foden has done is evil. It’s affected me deeply, and I will never forgive him.”
Foden displayed no visible emotion during the reading of the victim statements and remained impassive as he was sentenced. Occasionally, he shook his head in denial as the statements were read.
The jury, composed of seven women and five men, delivered their verdict after a three-week trial. They found Foden, of Gwynant, Old Colwyn, guilty of all charges. He was also ordered to pay £4,000 towards prosecution costs.
During the trial, the court was presented with a video showing Foden holding the hand of one of the girls, referred to as child A, while she sat in the back of his car and he occupied the driver’s seat.
Foden, who previously held an executive position in the National Education Union, was arrested after child A showed an adult a photo of them together and screenshots of messages discussing sexual acts. The court learned that he would drive her to secluded locations to sexually abuse her, instructing her never to reveal what had happened.
Evidence showed that child A had searched online for help, googling terms like “I think I’m being sexually groomed, what do I do?” and “how to tell your parents you were groomed.”
Another complainant, child E, told the police that she referred to Foden as “Mr. P,” for perfect, while he called her his “little sex toy.” She described meeting Foden in his BMW, which had personalized plates, and driving to remote areas where he would molest her.
After his arrest, police found a pair of purple and black lace handcuffs in the boot of Foden’s car, with DNA evidence linking them to him and one of his victims. Foden was convicted of multiple charges, including pinching the thigh of child B and touching child C inappropriately.
All of his victims were described as vulnerable, targeted by Foden due to their susceptibilities.
Duncan Bould, defending, argued that Foden had positively impacted many lives during his career as a teacher and union representative. “All of those achievements are now overshadowed by his own actions, as is his reputation,” Bould said.
