Paedophile headteacher who abused four girls is arrested at school
Neil Foden, the former headteacher of Ysgol Friars in North Wales, has been captured on video during his arrest at the school where he worked, following convictions for a series of shocking offences against young girls.
Foden, 66, was found guilty in May of committing 19 sexual offences between 2019 and 2023, revealing a disturbing pattern of behavior that included a urination fetish and sexual communication with minors.
The arrest, recorded by a police officer’s bodycam in September 2023, shows Foden calmly standing with his hands in his pockets as he is informed of the charges against him. He was later sentenced to 17 years in prison at Mold Crown Court on July 1.
Judge Rhys Rowlands, presiding over the case, described Foden as a charismatic figure who abused his authority, manipulating and exploiting vulnerable young girls. He criticized Foden for showing no remorse and for the profound harm caused to the victims and their families.
During the trial, victims spoke out about the lasting impact of Foden’s actions. One victim described feeling constantly sick and emotionally drained, while another expressed feeling targeted and hurt by Foden’s vindictiveness during the legal process.
Evidence presented in court included disturbing interactions captured on video and messages exchanged via WhatsApp, revealing Foden’s systematic grooming and sexual assault of the victims in secluded locations and hotels.
The court also heard about incriminating items found, such as purple and black lace handcuffs with DNA matching Foden and one of the victims, underscoring the severity of his crimes.
Despite being acquitted of one count of sexual activity with a child, the verdict highlighted Foden’s predatory behavior and the significant impact on the lives of those affected.
The case has sparked outrage and raised concerns about safeguarding in educational settings, prompting calls for stricter measures to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.
On Monday, July 1, he was sentenced to 17 years behind bars at Mold Crown Court.
Judge Rhys Rowlands described Foden as a domineering and bombastic character who was looked up to by many, but “managed to hide a dreadful secret”.
Judge Rowlands told him: “Your behaviour was born out of your arrogant sense of your self-worth, such that you believed no-one would stand up to you.
“It is clear that you have no remorse. You have not shown an ounce of contrition for what you did and you have no insight into the undoubted very serious harm you have caused both to individual victims and to their families.”
“He exploited both my body and mind and I feel tired and constantly sick as a result,” one victim, who appeared in court to read a statement, said.
Another victim, who attended his sentencing in person, said: “I feel that when he made me go to court to give my evidence he wanted to hurt me for reporting him and, instead of justice, he wanted revenge.”
Foden was arrested after child A showed an adult a photo of them together and screenshots of messages about oral sex.
The court heard he would pick her up in his car and drive them to secluded areas.
He encouraged child A to hug and kiss him, telling her she must “take it to the grave and not tell anyone”.
They exchanged messages on WhatsApp, with Foden telling the girl to delete the messages daily.
The messaging and contact soon became sexualised, with Foden sexually assaulting her several times, persisting even when she tried to stop him.
Another complainant, child E, told police she referred to Foden as “Mr P”, for perfect, while he called her “his little sex toy”.
She also described meeting him in his BMW car, which had personalised number plates, and driving to remote lay-bys and country lanes “for him to have a play with me”.
He sexually assaulted her many times in his car and also in hotels when she accompanied him on trips away overnight.
After Foden was arrested at the school in September 2023, police later found a pair of purple and black lace handcuffs in the boot of his car which had DNA present matching Foden and the youngster.
Foden was convicted of pinching the thigh of child B and putting his hand under her clothing and of placing his hands at the top of child C’s inner thighs.
He was cleared of one count of sexual activity with a child, where he was alleged to have touched the bottom of child D.
Paedophile headteacher who abused four girls is arrested at school
