A headteacher who launched a violent attack on his deputy head with a metal wrench has been sentenced to 28 months in prison. The court heard how the assault was motivated by overwhelming sexual jealousy, after the attacker suspected his colleague had an affair with a fellow staff member with whom he had previously been in a relationship.
The perpetrator, 54-year-old Anthony John Felton, pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Richard Pyke, aged 51. The attack occurred at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive School in Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot, on 5 March 2025.
According to the prosecution, Felton armed himself with the wrench and deliberately sought out Pyke, ambushing him from behind within the school grounds. He launched a brutal attack, striking the deputy multiple times. The court was told the assault was entirely premeditated and driven by Felton’s jealousy over a relationship he believed had developed between Pyke and a female colleague he had recently dated.
After the attack, Felton discarded the weapon and left the school premises in his car. In the immediate aftermath, he sent an email to school staff in which he apologised for the distress and disruption caused by his actions.
During sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, the judge described the incident as unprecedented, stressing the seriousness of a school leader committing an act of violence against a fellow professional. He labelled the attack an ambush, noting that Pyke had no reason to suspect he was in danger and had regarded Felton as a friend and colleague.
The judge remarked that although Felton had been dealing with personal challenges, including the recent death of his mother and a cancer diagnosis, these were not the root cause of his actions. Instead, the attack stemmed from an uncontrollable rage triggered by romantic jealousy. He criticised Felton for allowing his emotions to spiral into violence, especially in a professional setting where he held a position of significant authority and responsibility.
He told the court that Felton, having plotted the assault, would have been fully aware of the severe consequences not just for his victim, but also for the school, its students, and the wider community. The judge added that the betrayal of trust and misuse of his leadership role made the offence particularly shocking.
The deputy head, Richard Pyke, fortunately sustained only minor injuries and was discharged from hospital shortly after the incident. Nevertheless, the psychological and professional implications for both the victim and the school community were significant.
Felton, who had been appointed headteacher of the school in September 2023, has also been handed a restraining order preventing further contact with Pyke. The incident has left a deep impact on the school, with many expressing disbelief over the violent outburst from a senior educator.
Prosecutors condemned the level of violence used, highlighting how easily such attacks can result in life-altering injuries or death. The fact that the injuries were not more serious was considered a matter of luck rather than restraint on the part of the attacker.
Felton’s sentencing marks a dramatic fall from grace for a man entrusted with leading an educational institution, and serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked emotions and the abuse of power in professional environments.
