News

Anger over plans for ‘inappropriate relationships’ oath for teachers

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2024

A PROPOSAL for teachers to swear an oath against inappropriate relationships with pupils could harm the profession’s reputation, it’s been warned.

A motion due to be considered by a Welsh county council could see teachers and school staff required to make a specific commitment in front of a manager not to form intimate relationships with students.

The news from Flintshire follows concerns sparked by the court case of Gwynedd headteacher Neil Foden, who was jailed for 17 years in July after being found guilty of sexually abusing four girls.

The motion was submitted by Hope councillor Gladys Healey, who claims stronger measures are needed to protect children from abuse by teachers.

However, education union NASUWT said introducing the oath, which will be discussed at a full council meeting in Mold tomorrow (Tuesday, 24 September) would show a “shocking contempt” for teachers.

Neil Butler, the union’s national official for Wales, said: “This motion serves only to bring the teaching profession into disrepute. Flintshire Council needs to concentrate on its responsibility to ensure that schools are fully funded to provide the very best educational provision.

“Teachers in Wales are highly regulated and have to adhere to the Education Workforce’s code of practice which explicitly states that teachers, ‘have a duty of care for the safety, physical, social, moral, and educational wellbeing of learners and young people.’

“If a teacher falls short of this code, they face disciplinary action and potential dismissal.

“For Flintshire Council to introduce its own oath would be showing a shocking contempt for the profession.”

A child practice review is currently being carried out by the North Wales Safeguarding Board following Foden’s sentencing, which local authority Cyngor Gwynedd has pledged to “co-operate fully” with.

The board’s chair described it as a “vital step in protecting vulnerable children in north Wales”. However, critics fear that it will not go far enough.

In her notice of motion Cllr Healey, who sits on Flintshire’s education scrutiny committee, said current safeguarding measures were in need of improvement.

The Labour politician said: “The council acknowledges that, even with safeguarding training and the code of professional conduct and practice established by the Education Workforce Council in Wales, there are still cases of child abuse by teaching professionals and cases of teachers forming inappropriate relationships with pupils and students for whom they are responsible.

“This has been highlighted by the recent prosecution and imprisonment of a former Gwynedd headteacher who had also previously served as an executive member of the National Education Association.

“The council deplores the formation of such relationships and actions which abuse children and bring about a loss of their childhood innocence.

“The council recommends that, in line with practice in some other non-educational professions, cabinet formulates an oath which must be taken by all who are engaged in education in Flintshire to recognise the need for individuals to make a specific commitment not to engage in inappropriate relationships with those in their charge.”

If approved, all staff currently working in education settings in Flintshire will be required to swear the oath, along with any future employees.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has said it would be willing to discuss the proposal.

Claire Armitstead, director of ASCL Cymru, said: “We share the horror felt at the case which has given rise to this motion, and are always ready to consider any proposal aimed at improving the safeguarding of young people.

“We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with Councillor Healey.

“Safeguarding is a core duty of schools and colleges, and all education staff are fully aware of their responsibility not only to uphold the highest standards of behaviour themselves but also to act on anything which might put a young person’s safety or welfare at risk.

“There are strict professional and legal regulations in place, and anyone found guilty of an inappropriate relationship can face disciplinary and criminal action.”

Liam Randall, local democracy reporter

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

18 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.