Headteacher Neil Foden guilty of sexual abuse of girls Mark Burgess sentenced to 40 years for non recent sexual abuse
June 30, 2021

A Welsh headteacher has been found guilty of sexual abuse involving four girls. Neil Foden, 66, who worked at a school in North Wales, was charged with 20 offences against five girls, who cannot be identified to protect their anonymity.

He stood impassively in the dock at Mold Crown Court as the jury foreman read out the guilty verdicts on 19 out of 20 indictments. The jury of seven women and five men delivered their verdicts on the defendant, of Gwynant, Old Colwyn, after a three-week trial.The judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands called him “arrogant and controlling” man who was used to getting his own way. He said some explanations for his behaviour “beggared belief”.

The court heard concerns about Foden were raised with Cyngor Gwynedd at an earlier stage. Judge Rowlands said: “When real concerns were first raised about the defendant with the county council they were simply dismissed, pretty much out of hand.”

He said no investigation was carried out and no notes were taken. He added: “We now know he continued to offend. That’s very concerning indeed.”

Foden was convicted of sexual activity with a child, using or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to arrange or incite sexual activity with a child by penetration, engaging in sexual communication with a child, two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust and possession of an indecent photograph of a child.

He adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be made. Foden is due to be sentenced at Mold Crown Court on July 1. The judge told him to expect a sentence of some length.

A Cyngor Gwynedd spokesperson said: “As a council, we welcome the court’s decision. We are appalled by the nature of the crimes committed and commend and admire the remarkable courage and resilience the victims and their families have displayed throughout the process.

They said: “As a result, pastoral arrangements put in place for pupils at the start of the criminal proceedings will continue for the foreseeable future.

From the beginning of this case, Cyngor Gwynedd has worked closely with North Wales Police to ensure that the Wales Safeguarding Procedures have been followed in full.

If you have suffered abuse or would like to discuss experiences, please contact our specialist child abuse solicitor, Charles Derham on the following:

E: charles@remedylaw.co.uk
T: 02393552513

The survivors of a horrific cycle of non-recent child sex abuse bravely confronted their abuser in court today (Wednesday 30 June), where he was branded a ‘conniving and exploitative serial paedophile’. Mark Burgess, aged 68 years, of St Chads Avenue in Hilsea, was handed a 40 year sentence at Portsmouth Crown Court today after he was convicted of abusing children over a period of nearly four decades. He will serve a minimum of 21 years in jail before being considered for parole.

Following an investigation by Hampshire Constabulary’s Operation Marmion team, Burgess was convicted of the following offences:

• 26 counts of indecent assault

• 15 counts of gross indecency with a child

• 4 counts of buggery

• 1 count of attempted indecent assault

• 2 counts of sexual activity with a child

In emotive statements read out in court, the survivors told of the damage Burgess had inflicted on so many lives, with one describing his abuser as a ‘festering, rancid boil’. Others spoke of how Burgess manipulated, groomed, charmed and bribed his way into their lives for his own sexual pleasure, and labelled him abhorrent, deplorable, calculating and despicable. One survivor, now an adult woman, told how the abuse at Burgess’s hands had affected her passion for music. In a statement, she said: “This person helped me use my voice to make beautiful music, but I would become too ashamed to ever use it again. ”Another, who was abused at the age of 13, told the court: “You took a bright, naïve, funny, energetic child and you destroyed all of that in the most cynical and vile way.” Speaking of finding his voice after all these years, he continued: “It has been a very difficult process, but I take courage and strength from the survivors here, and the love and support of my family.”

Passing sentence, His Honour Judge William Ashworth commended the survivors in this case for coming forward, and commented on the ‘dignity, restraint and stunning openness’ in which they spoke about their experiences.

Charles Derham, director and Solicitor Advocate commends the bravery of the survivors. He comments “the bravery of these 13 individuals has allowed justice to prevail . Burgess clearly had total disregard for those he abused and ignored the horrendous impact that his actions would have on them for the rest of their lives.’

Remedy Law confirm that they are instructed to progress a civil claim by a survivor of Burgess. This will allow the individual to receive recompense for life long consequences of Burgess’ actions and allow them to seek therapy and treatment to allow them to manage ongoing impact.

If you would like to discuss your experiences, then please contact Charles Derham on 02393552153 or via email on Charles@remedylaw.co.uk

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