“Serious Miscarriages of Justice” in North Wales

“Serious miscarriages of justice” have been uncovered involving a former headmaster accused of sexually abusing pupils as young as eight at two schools in North Wales.

Following the conviction of former Gwynedd headteacher Neil Foden, who is now serving a term of 17 years’ imprisonment, concerns have been raised about the administration of Gwynedd schools by Gwynedd Council.

Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors, who are bringing an action against Gwynedd Council on behalf of victims of Neil Foden, are now investigating new claims of historic abuse at schools in Gellilydan, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Holyhead including apparent miscarriages of justice going back nearly 50 years. 

In 1978 a headmaster (who can’t be named for legal reasons) faced charges of abusing children at Gellilydan Primary School but was acquitted.

Solicitor Katherine Yates, who specialises in investigating historical sexual abuse cases, says the reasons for his acquittal soon became clear after the trial.

“It appears that after acquitting him of serious charges of sexual abuse the Chair of the Magistrates and the Clerk to the Court, who were allegedly friends or at least acquaintances of the defendant, gave references for him which enabled him to obtain the post of headmaster at another school,” she explained.

“This raises questions as to whether his friendship with two court officials was the reason why he was acquitted after 11 primary school aged children gave evidence against him.”

As well as pleading not guilty and being acquitted of abusing children in the 1970s, the same headmaster had been sentenced to a term of imprisonment in the mid-1960s after appearing at Holyhead Magistrates’ Court for sexually abusing young children at Thomas Ellis School near Holyhead.

It appears that this conviction was considered legally ‘spent’ by the education authority after his 1978 acquittal, and neither his 1964 conviction nor 1978 acquittal were considered adequate reasons to prevent him continuing his teaching career.  The perpetrator also taught at a primary school in Corwen. 

Katherine continued: “The more I research this historic case the more concerned I am about the denial of justice to many of his former pupils.

“This man was a Schedule 1 offender as laid down in the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.  Sexual offences against children are never spent and should always be considered carefully by prospective employers. 

“It is unbelievable that this man, who went to prison for sexually abusing children where he was a teacher, was allowed to teach again when he came out of prison. 

“It is equally unbelievable that after 11 children from Gellilydan School made allegations of sexual abuse this was not sent to Crown Court for trial but thrown out by the Magistrates’ Court where significant figures were his friends, or at least well known to him.

“Where was the justice for the Gellilydan children? That man should never have been allowed near any school after his conviction in 1964 and yet he was welcomed into more schools to continue his teaching career.”

A now retired senior police officer (who wishes to remain anonymous) was involved in the 1970s Gellilydan case and has come forward to help Andrew Grove & Co with their investigations.

He said: “I found it unbelievable that this acquittal had come about at the committal proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court. The evidence of the 11 victims had been tested and there was a good strong case. This acquittal has troubled me ever since and I feel that the interests of justice were ill-served, and the victims badly let down.”

Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors is now appealing for former pupils of Gellilydan School in Blaenau Ffestiniog and Thomas Ellis School near Holyhead, or anyone else who can shed any light on this case, to get in touch.

Solicitors with conduct are Katherine Yates and Charlotte Denley and both can be contacted on 01223 367133 or 07810 224545 or by email at katherine@andrewgroveandco.com or charlotte@andrewgroveandco.com