Headteacher admits attacking deputy with SPANNER at school after pair became embroiled in love triangle with teacher
A HEADTEACHER is facing jail after admitting attacking his deputy with a spanner at their secondary school over a love triangle.
Anthony John Felton, 54, appeared at Swansea Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to attempted grievous bodily harm with intent against Richard Pyke, 51.
Felton spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea as he appeared by video-link from prison.
Details of the offence and the circumstances surrounding it were not detailed but the court heard there was a “unique background” to the incident.
Police were called to St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive School in Aberavon, South Wales, on the morning of Wednesday March 5.
Felton is accused of assaulting deputy head Mr Pyke in front of shocked pupils causing him head injuries with the metal tool.
He is said to have discovered a woman was also having affairs with other members of staff.
It is understood that the female teacher was not at the school at the time of the alleged spanner attack.
Shortly before the alleged attack Felton emailed colleagues saying: “I’m sorry for the distress which the rest of today will bring.”
Following the incident police said Mr Pyke had been discharged from hospital after suffering minor injuries.
John Hipkin KC, defending, told the court Felton, who is known by his middle name, inflicted “a number of blows” to Mr Pyke, which had all been caught on CCTV.
“The defendant is in the process of obtaining some references, which hasn’t been an easy process from prison,” he said.
“It is a serious matter, obviously, and it is whether the court requires further information about the defendant in the content of a pre-sentence report or not.”
Judge Paul Thomas KC said the offence was so serious that only a prison sentence could be justified.
“In the context of where and how this offence was committed, and in particular, bearing in mind the propensity of violence in schools perpetrated by pupils, it seems to me that my public duty require that only a prison sentence can be passed here,” the judge told Mr Hipkin.
“The application by those instructing you for a pre-sentence report makes reference to ‘unique features’.
“Is there anything particularly unique?”
The barrister replied: “I suppose it is the unique background to it but I can deal with that in terms of my mitigation without a pre-sentence report.
“On any view this is a spectacular fall from grace, to say the least.”
The judge remanded Felton, of Swansea, into custody until he is sentenced on April 25.
“I don’t think I will assisted by a pre-sentence report because I am sure a prison sentence is inevitable,” he said.
“It is simply a question of fixing the length.”
Addressing the defendant, he added: “You will be dealt with on April 25 and I think that will give you enough time to get any references or any other supporting documentation that you want to put before the court.”
Dr Felton was appointed head at the 900-pupil school in 2023 after being head of mathematics there for 17 years.
The email Dr Felton sent to staff at the 900-pupil school praised them for doing an “amazing job” and ended with the word “goodbye”.
It read: “Dear staff, the greatest mistake I made was appointing ******* ******* in various roles.
“She has slept her way to the top, currently engaging in sexual activity with at least 2 current members of the SLT (School Leadership Team) including Richard Pyke.
“I’m sorry for the distress the rest of the day will bring. I am sorry.
“You are good people and do an amazing job for our community.
“Goodbye, John”