After a trial in May, Neil Foden, the leader of Ysgol Friars in North Wales at the time of his startling 19 crimes over a four-year period between 2019 and 2023, was found guilty.
The 66-year-old man told the court he was “determined” to satiate his “perverted desires,” which included a passion for urinating, and that he had a “sexual obsession with young teenage girls”.
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In September 2023, a police officer’s bodycam recorded Foden’s arrest inside a school room.
The officer is shown on camera telling him, “Mr. Foden, unfortunately, I need to arrest you on suspicion of sexual touching of a child and sexual communications with a child.” He is seen standing with his hands in his pockets.
Upon being informed of his rights, he answers “Right” and then just says “Okay.”
Later on, he would be declared guilty.
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He was given a 17-year prison term at Mould Crown Court on Monday, July 1.
Many looked up to Foden, a dominant and pompous figure who “managed to hide a dreadful secret,” according to Judge Rhys Rowlands.
“Your behaviour was born out of your arrogant sense of your own self-worth, such that you believed no one would stand up to you,” Judge Rowlands told him.
It’s obvious that you don’t feel guilty. You have not expressed even the slightest regret for what you did, and you are blind to the unquestionably grave harm you have done to each victim and their family.”
“He exploited both my body and mind and I feel tired and constantly sick as a result,” one victim, who appeared in court to read a statement, said.
Another victim, who attended his sentencing in person, said: “I feel that when he made me go to court to give my evidence he wanted to hurt me for reporting him and, instead of justice, he wanted revenge.”
A statement made by a third girl abused by Foden was read to the court, in which she said: “I believed him when he said he loved me and I was the only one he wanted.
“What Mr Foden has done is evil. It’s hit me hard and I’ll never forgive him.”
During Foden’s trial, the court was shown a video of him holding hands with one of the girls, child A, as she sat in the back of his car, while he was in the driver’s seat.
Foden was arrested after child A showed an adult a photo of them together and screenshots of messages about oral sex.
According to what the court heard, he would pick her up in his car and take her to remote locations.
Child A was told to “take it to the grave and not tell anyone,” as he urged her to give him a hug and kiss.
They spoke over WhatsApp, with Foden advising the girl to remove the communications on a daily basis.
Soon after, the communication and interaction turned sexual, with Foden repeatedly abusing her sexually and not stopping even when she tried to stop him.
Child E, another complainant, told police that although Foden referred to her as “his little sex toy,” she nicknamed him “Mr P,” for perfect.
She also talked about how she met him in his BMW, which had customised number plates, and how they went to isolated pull-offs and country lanes “so he could play with me.”
He repeatedly molested her in his car and at hotels when she went with him on overnight trips.
Police discovered a pair of purple and black lace handcuffs in the trunk of Foden’s car after the man was stopped at the school in September 2023. The handcuffs’ DNA matched that of Foden and the child.
Foden was found guilty of pinching kid B’s thigh and sticking his hand under her clothes, as well as touching child C’s inner thighs with his hands.
He was found not guilty on one charge of engaging in sexual behaviour with a child, in which it was claimed he caressed kid D’s butt.
