The day paedophile head's crimes finally caught up with him as victim hid in cupboard

AFTER years of operating “in plain sight” the world of “sophisticated” paedophile Neil Foden finally came crashing down in September 2023.

- By OWEN HUGHES Chief Reporter [e-mail]

The controlling and feared headteacher of Ysgol Friars in Bangor had for years escaped any consequences for his offending despite numerous concerns and 52 missed opportunities to stop him.

A report, “Our Bravery Brought Justice”, last week uncovered more about how he was able to operate for so long, even being promoted to strategic head of a second school despite alarm bells over his behaviour.

This has made clear he should have been stopped at a far earlier stage. But the bravery of one of his victims meant the 68-year-old would finally be caught.

At about 9am on 6 September 2023, a victim, named as Child D, spoke to a member of pastoral staff at Ysgol Friars disclosing that she had been “in a romantic relationship” with Foden. She was later able to show evidence of sexualised messages on her mobile phone to the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Person (DDSP).

Although Foden's details had been saved under a pseudonym, the phone number from which messages were sent was identified as his. The content clearly indicated that a crime had been committed.

At around 10.45am that morning the DDSP phoned Cyngor Gwynedd’s Children and Family Services ((LA1 C&FS) and described the content of the messages. While the referral was being made Child D was hidden in a cupboard in the school.