A school leader is confronted with a long prison sentence after he has said that he will argue guilty of an alleged attack on a male colleague with a heavy key.
Dr. John Felton, 54, appeared this morning before magistrates accused of injury with intention in connection with the attack on deputy head Richard Pyke, 51.
Felton was charged at night in connection with the attack on Mr. Pyke on St Joseph's Catholic School and Sixth Form Center in Aberavon, Zuid -Wales, yesterday morning.
His lawyer Mark Davies told the short hearing before Swansea -Magistrates: “I was formally instructed that he wants to indicate a guilty plea at this stage.”
Married father of three Felton, dressed in a gray training suit, was calm and composed during the five -minute hearing. None of his family was in court.
Public Prosecutor Lisa Jones asked Felton to be taken in the detention 'for his own well -being and protection'.
The maximum sense of injury with intention is life sentence.
The incident, for shocked students, is supposed to be about a love triangle in which a female teacher is involved.
Felton e -mailed the staff who apologized for what he was about to say: “I'm sorry for the need that the rest of today will bring.”
Dr. John Felton (photo) appeared before magistrates this morning accused of injury with intention in connection with the attack on deputy head Richard Pyke
Felton was named head at the 900-pupil school in 2023 after he was head of mathematics there for 17 years
The police of Zuid -Wales were called on site at 9.50 am yesterday at the St. Joseph's Catholic School
He reportedly armed himself with a large key during morning lessons and attacked Mr. Pyke, causing him to cause serious head injuries.
Emergency services were called to the school and married father of three Felton was arrested on the spot. Mr. Pyke was taken to the hospital with non-lifferring injuries.
Pupils who witnessed the violence were offered counseling and support through the local educational authority.
Some parents arrived to collect their children after receiving SMS messages about the attack and threatened to keep them off until they received guarantees about leadership in the school.
Felton was named head at the 900-pupil school in 2023 after he was head of mathematics there for 17 years.
A spokesperson for the police in Zuid -Wales said yesterday: 'We were called at 9.50 am for reports of an attack on St Joseph's Catholic Comprehensive School in Aberavon.
Deputy Chief teacher 51-year-old Richard Pyke (photo) was taken to the hospital with non-lifetime-threatening head injuries
Headteacher Felton is said to have armed himself with a heavy key during morning classes
'A 51-year-old man was taken to the hospital, it is assumed that his injuries are not life threatening. A 54-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault.
“We are aware of local speculation about the nature of the attack, but we can confirm that there were no knives involved.”
Neath Port Talbot Council said that the support would be offered to students and staff affected by the violent attack.
A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of an incident that took place this morning at St Joseph's Catholic School and Sixth Form Center. The incident did not include students.
'The safety and well -being of our students and employees are our top priority and we work closely with the school to ensure that the right support is offered to anyone who is affected by this incident.
“The case is currently being investigated by the police and the school works completely with their questions.”
Labor MS for Aberavon, David Rees, said: 'This is a very sad situation for our community and my thoughts are currently with the person injured.
'I am sure that the local authority personnel and students who can be affected in the coming days and weeks will offer full support. It is important that the police and other relevant authorities are currently allowed to investigate the incident without any speculation. '
Felton then appears on April 9 at Swansea Crown Court.
