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Headteacher who attacked deputy with spanner-like tool in 'love triangle' rage is jailed
Shocking footage of Anthony John Felton, 54, taking the spanner-like tool from his pocket while Richard Pyke was looking at a computer screen was met with audible gasps in the court
A headteacher who fell into a jealous rage over a workplace 'love triangle' and brutally assaulted his deputy with a spanner-like tool has been jailed.
Anthony John Felton, 54, is seen manoeuvring Richard Pyke in front of a computer at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Comprehensive in Aberavon, Wales in footage shown at Swansea Crown Court today.
The 54-year-old former headteacher, known as John, then discreetly took a weapon out of his jacket pocket and swung it towards Mr Pyke's head. There was audible gasps from the public gallery when it the shocking footage was shown.
The video goes on to show Mr Pyke desperately kicking away at Felton in an attempt to keep him back, while Felton, with the weapon raised aloft, continues to swipe at Mr Pyke.
Felton only stopping when a staff member rushed into the office after hearing screams for help. The sentencing hearing heard Felton immediately left the school before emailing staff apologising for the distress they were about to endure as a result of his actions.
The pair had been friends for years before they fell into a love triangle with a female member of staff at the school, the Sun reported. Felton became "jealous" when started to believe the teacher he feathered a child with was having an affair with Mr Pyke.
Felton accused his deputy headteacher of sleeping with the teacher after he struck him over the head.
Judge Paul Thomas, sentencing the ex-head, told him he had badly damaged the reputation of a good school with his actions on the morning of Wednesday, March 5.
The 51-year-old deputy head, who has been unable to return to work, was treated for minor injuries in hospital following the attack and Felton later pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent.
In an emotional statement in court on Friday, Mr Pyke said he can no longer go to the football with his son and worries constantly about who is behind him.
Judge Thomas sentenced Felton to two years and four months, at least half of which he'll serve in custody. A restraining order will also be issued preventing Felton from approaching Mr Pyke or any members of his family in any way for an indefinite period.
Detective Sergeant Simon Davies said: “Anthony Felton’s actions have resulted in him going to prison, have had a significant impact on his personal life and have destroyed his decades-long teaching career – not to mention the physical impact upon the victim, who we are pleased is on the road to recovery.
“This attack, and its aftermath, has been an alarming ordeal not just for those directly involved, but also for other staff at the school, as well as the pupils and their parents and guardians.
“There is absolutely no excuse for what Anthony Felton has done, and there was no other possible outcome than for him to go to prison.”
Judge Thomas told Felton in the dock: "You know the current prevalence of violence in our schools, incidents of pupils taking weapons into schools, attacks on staff and pupils are all too common features in the media.
"This very court on Monday will sentence a 14-year-old girl for attempting to kill two teachers and a school girl which happened 25 miles from your school and which I've no doubt you'll be fully aware of.
"Anyone arming themselves with a weapon with the intention to cause another serious injury is always a grave matter. That a headmaster of a school should take a weapon to harm a deputy is, I expect, entirely without precedent.
"The appalling example this sets to others needs no emphasis from me. You are more than intelligent enough to realise when you plotted this bizarre attack that the impact would be far reaching.
"Mr Pyke thought he was your friend. Your victim. He was struck from behind having been lured by you into what was in effect an ambush. The psychological, emotional and professional impact on him was profound.
"However, I must also consider the effect on others. Firstly other staff members, on school morale, on impressionable pupils who would have looked up to you as ultimate authority in the future, I cannot ignore reputational damage to the school.
"You would have known of those consequences when you slyly planned your attack."
Daily Star Sunday
Shocking footage of Anthony John Felton, 54, taking the spanner-like tool from his pocket while Richard Pyke was looking at a computer screen was met with audible gasps in the court
A headteacher who fell into a jealous rage over a workplace 'love triangle' and brutally assaulted his deputy with a spanner-like tool has been jailed.
Anthony John Felton, 54, is seen manoeuvring Richard Pyke in front of a computer at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Comprehensive in Aberavon, Wales in footage shown at Swansea Crown Court today.
The 54-year-old former headteacher, known as John, then discreetly took a weapon out of his jacket pocket and swung it towards Mr Pyke's head. There was audible gasps from the public gallery when it the shocking footage was shown.
The video goes on to show Mr Pyke desperately kicking away at Felton in an attempt to keep him back, while Felton, with the weapon raised aloft, continues to swipe at Mr Pyke.
Felton only stopping when a staff member rushed into the office after hearing screams for help. The sentencing hearing heard Felton immediately left the school before emailing staff apologising for the distress they were about to endure as a result of his actions.
The pair had been friends for years before they fell into a love triangle with a female member of staff at the school, the Sun reported. Felton became "jealous" when started to believe the teacher he feathered a child with was having an affair with Mr Pyke.
Felton accused his deputy headteacher of sleeping with the teacher after he struck him over the head.
Judge Paul Thomas, sentencing the ex-head, told him he had badly damaged the reputation of a good school with his actions on the morning of Wednesday, March 5.
The 51-year-old deputy head, who has been unable to return to work, was treated for minor injuries in hospital following the attack and Felton later pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent.
In an emotional statement in court on Friday, Mr Pyke said he can no longer go to the football with his son and worries constantly about who is behind him.
Judge Thomas sentenced Felton to two years and four months, at least half of which he'll serve in custody. A restraining order will also be issued preventing Felton from approaching Mr Pyke or any members of his family in any way for an indefinite period.
Detective Sergeant Simon Davies said: “Anthony Felton’s actions have resulted in him going to prison, have had a significant impact on his personal life and have destroyed his decades-long teaching career – not to mention the physical impact upon the victim, who we are pleased is on the road to recovery.
“This attack, and its aftermath, has been an alarming ordeal not just for those directly involved, but also for other staff at the school, as well as the pupils and their parents and guardians.
“There is absolutely no excuse for what Anthony Felton has done, and there was no other possible outcome than for him to go to prison.”
Judge Thomas told Felton in the dock: "You know the current prevalence of violence in our schools, incidents of pupils taking weapons into schools, attacks on staff and pupils are all too common features in the media.
"This very court on Monday will sentence a 14-year-old girl for attempting to kill two teachers and a school girl which happened 25 miles from your school and which I've no doubt you'll be fully aware of.
"Anyone arming themselves with a weapon with the intention to cause another serious injury is always a grave matter. That a headmaster of a school should take a weapon to harm a deputy is, I expect, entirely without precedent.
"The appalling example this sets to others needs no emphasis from me. You are more than intelligent enough to realise when you plotted this bizarre attack that the impact would be far reaching.
"Mr Pyke thought he was your friend. Your victim. He was struck from behind having been lured by you into what was in effect an ambush. The psychological, emotional and professional impact on him was profound.
"However, I must also consider the effect on others. Firstly other staff members, on school morale, on impressionable pupils who would have looked up to you as ultimate authority in the future, I cannot ignore reputational damage to the school.
"You would have known of those consequences when you slyly planned your attack."
Daily Star Sunday