Report on Neil Foden’s Abuse to Be Published Soon
A comprehensive report addressing Neil Foden’s history of sexual abuse is set for publication soon. This analysis follows a year-long review into how the former headteacher of a secondary school managed to abuse multiple girls over several years.
Background on Neil Foden
Neil Foden, a 68-year-old former headteacher from Old Colwyn, Conwy, was convicted of 19 charges related to his abuse of four girls. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison in July 2024 after a month-long trial at Mold Crown Court. The trial presented evidence of his systematic grooming and sexual assaults between January 2019 and September 2023.
Details of Conviction
Foden was found guilty of several offences, including:
- Causing or inciting child sexual activity
- Attempting to arrange a child sex offence
- Sexual communication with a child
- Possession of indecent photographs of a child
- Sexual assault of a child
During his sentencing, Judge Rhys Rowlands described Foden as “bombastic and domineering” with a particular obsession with young girls.
Failures in Reporting Concerns
Concerns about Foden were initially raised in 2019 by a senior staff member at Cyngor Gwynedd. However, these concerns were reportedly dismissed without investigation, leading the judge to state that such failures may have emboldened his abusive behavior.
Investigation into the Abuse Culture
The upcoming report from the North Wales Safeguarding Board, led by expert Jan Pickles, aims to explore the systemic failures that allowed Foden to operate freely for years. This investigation is legally mandated when child abuse is suspected or known and will seek to recommend measures to prevent future abuse.
Legal Actions and Further Implications
Following Foden’s conviction, a BBC Wales investigation suggested that his abuse may have spanned over 40 years, potentially involving more victims. The findings sparked legal actions against Cyngor Gwynedd from solicitors representing multiple individuals seeking justice for their suffering at Foden’s hands.
Next Steps
The report, initially scheduled for release in September 2024, was postponed to allow the North Wales Safeguarding Board to review its legal obligations. Cyngor Gwynedd leader Nia Jeffreys has expressed eagerness to see the findings, anticipating they will be critical of how the council handled the situation.
This review aims not only to document Foden’s offenses but also to provide insights into improving child protection systems and addressing failures in the current safeguarding culture.
