Bangor head teacher Neil Foden ‘refused to be stopped’ – court

A head teacher accused of sexually abusing five children “refused to be stopped”, a court has heard.

Neil Foden, 66, from Old Colwyn, Conwy county, was in charge of Ysgol Friars in Bangor, and strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Penygroes, both in Gwynedd.

At Mold Crown Court a jury heard he abused his position to access children.

Mr Foden denies 20 charges involving five children.

Warning: This article contains upsetting content

The allegations date from January 2019 to September 2023 and include charges of sexual activity with a child.

On Monday John Philpotts, prosecuting, said married Mr Foden grossly abused the trust and responsibility placed in him, by sexually assaulting five girls over four years.

One complainant, Child A, showed an adult an image of her and Mr Foden on her phone and screenshots of conversations referring to oral sex and police were called, the court heard.

The youngster told detectives she was hugged by Mr Foden and this progressed to kissing.

Mr Philpotts said Mr Foden had told the girl that what had happened between them, she must “take it to the grave and not tell anyone”.

But they exchanged phone numbers, with Mr Foden saved in her phone as “Nick Jones”, and communicated on Whatsapp, with Foden telling the child to delete the messages each day.

Mr Philpotts said on one occasion the girl tried to stop Mr Foden putting his hand in her underwear but he “persisted” and “refused to be stopped”, the jury heard.

The alleged sexual activity became more serious with Mr Foden molesting the youngster, it is claimed, and he was almost “caught red-handed” twice.

Another time, the jury was told, he suggested they went on a road trip. The prosecution alleged it was his intention to carry out further abuse.

The court heard concerns about Mr Foden had been raised with the council previously, but there was no formal complaint or investigation.

A second child, Child B, said after Mr Foden pinched their thigh they were left, “shocked and surprised” and another time he put his hands under their clothing.

Child C told police Foden touched her, while Child D alleged Foden breathed on their neck and touched their bottom beneath a skirt.

Child E alleged numerous sexual encounters with Foden.

They had nicknames for each other, the court heard. He was “Mr P”, which stood for “Mr Perfect” and his nickname for her was, “ST” which stood for “sex toy”.

The court heard Mr Foden sexually assaulted her on a car bonnet.

After Mr Foden’s arrest, police found a pair of purple and black lace handcuffs in his car boot which had DNA that matched Mr Foden and the child.

When his phone was seized photos of one of the children wearing underwear and in provocative poses were found.

Mr Philpotts said Mr Foden denied any sexual contact between himself and any children and has never answered questions about any of the allegations.

He denies 13 counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of sexual activity with a child in a position of trust, and one count each of causing or inciting child sexual activity, attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence, sexual communication with a child, possession of indecent photographs of a child and sexual assault of a child.