Crime
Ministers criticised after report finds 52 missed chances to stop paedophile headteacher
A SENEDD Conservative leader has accused ministers and Gwynedd Council of “serious safeguarding failings” after an independent review found that more than fifty opportunities were missed to stop a paedophile headteacher from abusing children.
A Child Practice Review into the case of Neil Foden – a former headteacher at Ysgol Friars in Bangor – found that 52 separate concerns were raised about his conduct between 2018 and 2023 but not acted upon. The report said key agencies failed to identify patterns of behaviour and did not share vital safeguarding information effectively.
Foden, who was jailed earlier this year for multiple sexual offences against pupils, had worked in education for over three decades and held senior positions across north Wales. His arrest in 2023 came after complaints were finally passed to police by staff members.
The review, commissioned by the North Wales Safeguarding Children Board, concluded that “professional curiosity was lacking” and that both the school and local authority failed to recognise risk indicators. It added that the case exposed “systemic weaknesses” in how concerns about staff in positions of trust are handled.
Andrew RT Davies MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, said: “It is deeply shocking that Plaid Cymru-led Gwynedd Council missed more than 50 opportunities to stop child sex abuse by the paedophile headteacher Neil Foden.
“Since 2018, there has been no national oversight of some child safeguarding reviews in schools – after funding was scrapped during the tenure of the then-Liberal Democrat Education Minister.
“These are serious safeguarding failings and both Plaid Cymru councillors in Gwynedd and Senedd ministers have many questions to answer.”
In response, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The findings of this Child Practice Review are deeply concerning. We expect all local authorities to review their safeguarding arrangements immediately to ensure lessons are learned. We will continue to work closely with regional safeguarding boards to strengthen national oversight.”
Gwynedd Council also issued a statement following the report’s publication, acknowledging “significant shortcomings” and pledging to implement all recommendations in full. The authority said it was “deeply sorry for the distress caused to the victims and their families”.
The review has prompted renewed debate over the decision in 2018 to withdraw funding for the Independent Investigation Service, which previously provided national oversight of safeguarding reviews in education. Critics say that gap in accountability left schools reliant on inconsistent local procedures.
The case has reignited calls for a Wales-wide child protection body with statutory powers to monitor how councils handle allegations against education staff.
Crime
Police stop car in Pennar as three arrested in drugs investigation
Suspected drug driver report leads to major police response and multiple arrests
DRAMATIC scenes were reported in Pennar on Monday afternoon (Mar 23) after multiple police vehicles were deployed to stop a car.
The incident happened at around 5:00pm near Pennar Court, Pembroke Dock, where officers located a stationary vehicle following reports of a suspected drug driver in the area.
Police attended and pre-emptively stopped the vehicle, also blocking a second car nearby.
Officers carried out searches of both vehicles and discovered suspected controlled substances.
A 32-year-old woman and a 47-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A and class B drugs with intent to supply. A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and possession of class A and class B drugs with intent to supply.
The 32-year-old woman has been released under investigation, while the 31-year-old man and 47-year-old woman have been released on unconditional bail.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the incident followed reports of a man believed to be driving under the influence in the area earlier that afternoon.
Crime
Sex offender jailed for sending explicit messages to ’14-year-old’ girls
A MAN has been jailed after sending sexual messages on Snapchat to three girls he believed were aged 14.
Ciaran Carmody, aged 21, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court via video link from HM Wrexham prison, where he admitted three offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child under 16.
The court heard the messages were sent on three separate occasions to accounts posing as 14-year-old girls, which were in fact part of an undercover police operation.
Prosecutor Nia James said each of the girls made their age clear, but the messages sent by Carmody were sexual in nature.
The offences took place between April 25 and May 5, 2025.
Crime
Nottingham triple killer linked to alleged Pembrokeshire incident involving animal
FRESH details have emerged about Nottingham attacker Valdo Calocane, linking him to a previously reported incident in Pembrokeshire involving alleged violence towards an animal.
Calocane carried out a fatal knife attack in Nottingham in the early hours of Tuesday, June 13, 2023, killing University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both aged 19, along with 65-year-old Ian Coates. He also attempted to kill three others.
The then 31-year-old was later given a hospital order in January 2024 after admitting three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, as well as three counts of attempted murder.
It had previously been established that Calocane was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020 and had been detained under mental health legislation on multiple occasions. Reports also indicated he experienced auditory hallucinations, which he said caused him difficulties.
He had been discharged from the care of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in September 2022, less than a year before the killings. That decision was later criticised in a Care Quality Commission report.
Now, an inquiry hearing on Tuesday, March 18 has been told of a possible earlier incident during Calocane’s time in Pembrokeshire.
Evidence presented to the inquiry stated that a former housemate, who lived with Calocane while he was attending Pembrokeshire College, contacted police following the Nottingham attacks. She claimed he had a history of mental health problems dating back several years.
The witness also described an incident involving alleged violence towards an animal, although full details were not disclosed during proceedings.
The inquiry further heard that Calocane’s mother had previously spoken about him being bullied both in Portugal and the UK, where the family lived in what was described as a predominantly white community.
A consultant forensic psychiatrist who assessed Calocane while he was in custody noted unusual behaviour during evaluations, including inappropriate smiling and a refusal to engage with questions about hearing voices.
The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the Nottingham attacks is ongoing.
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