More Canolfan Brynffynnon Victims Come Forward as Case Against Cyngor Gwynedd Grows

Former pupils of Canolfan Brynffynnon pupil referral unit in Felinheli are being urged to come forward after seven more survivors joined a civil claim against Cyngor Gwynedd.

Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors is now representing 26 former pupils who allege they suffered abuse and mistreatment while attending the school but believes there could be many more who have not yet realised they may be entitled to seek compensation.

Canolfan Brynffynnon was closed suddenly in 2014 following allegations of mistreatment by staff. In the months that followed, many former pupils were interviewed by police and gave accounts of the treatment they said they had experienced while attending the school.

The alleged offences took place between September 2006 and March 2014. Two teachers were suspended on 6^th March 2014 and between them faced 49 charges. In total, 24 vulnerable children, all under the age of 16, made statements alleging mistreatment and/or cruelty.

The case was due to be heard at Mold Crown Court. However, on the first day of the trial, 23 March 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence and the case was discontinued.

It later emerged that the two main alleged perpetrators remained suspended on full pay until 2025.

In summer 2024, solicitor Katherine Yates of Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors began acting on behalf of former pupils pursuing civil compensation claims against Cyngor Gwynedd.

The council has since agreed settlements with several former pupils, including 26-year-old Rhiannon Evans, pictured above, who attended Canolfan Brynffynnon from the age of nine.

Rhiannon's story was received her compensation but says the most important outcome has been hearing that other former pupils have gained the confidence to come forward.

"I never imagined that speaking publicly about what happened to me would encourage other people to seek help," said Rhiannon.

"When I joined the claim, I wasn't convinced we'd ever receive any compensation for what we went through. We really suffered there.

"One day I was in the canteen eating my lunch and I was forced by Garry Roberts to eat cake and gravy together. I was crying and he was shouting at me to eat it. I refused to eat it, and he got a spoon and tried to force-feed me with it. I kept crying and would not eat it. He picked up a jug of blackcurrant juice and poured it over my head. I had to sit all afternoon wet, cold and sticky.

"When I went home to my grandmother's house she put me straight in the bath. Other times they would throw food on the floor, and we had to eat it off the floor like animals. They had horrible nicknames for all of us and just thinking about my time there makes me cry.

"There were big tyres in the playground. I was made to stand in the tyres, and they piled more tyres on so that only my head was showing before kicking footballs at my head. Sometimes they kicked the ball from behind so I couldn't even see it coming. This happened almost every day. They did it to me and lots of the other children too.

"If telling my story helps even one more person come forward, then it's been worth it."

Solicitor Katherine Yates, pictured below, says the response following the recent publicity suggests there may still be many more former pupils who have yet to seek legal advice.

"Since Rhiannon's story appeared in the media, seven more former pupils have contacted us and joined the claim," said Katherine.

"We are now representing 26 people but based on what we know about the number of children who attended Canolfan Brynffynnon over the years, we believe there may be others who have not yet come forward.

"For many survivors, talking about what happened can take years or even decades. Some may not realise that they are still able to pursue a civil claim, regardless of the outcome of the criminal proceedings.

"We would encourage anyone who attended Canolfan Brynffynnon between 2006 and 2014, or parents or guardians acting on behalf of former pupils, to get in touch for a confidential, no-obligation conversation."

Anyone who attended Canolfan Brynffynnon, or the parent or guardian of a former pupil, is encouraged to contact Katherine Yates at Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors by calling 01223 367133 or emailing katherine@andrewgroveandco.com