In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the community of Aberavon, South Wales, Anthony Felton, the headteacher of St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive School, was sentenced to two years and four months in jail for assaulting his deputy, Richard Pyke, with a large adjustable spanner.
The attack, which occurred in the school premises, was rooted in a deep and overwhelming feeling of sexual jealousy. This incident has not only tarnished the reputation of the school but has also raised serious questions about workplace behavior, emotional instability, and the abuse of authority.
The Prelude to the Attack
Anthony Felton, 54, had been appointed as the headteacher of St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive School in Aberavon in September 2023. However, just a few months into his tenure, his actions would forever alter the lives of those involved. The attack on his deputy, Richard Pyke, 51, occurred in an atmosphere of mounting personal tension stemming from a romantic entanglement.
Anthony Felton had recently been in a relationship with another member of the teaching staff. During this time, Felton discovered that he had fathered a child with the woman, and shortly thereafter, he suspected that Pyke had become romantically involved with the same teacher.
This belief festered within him, leading to what prosecutors described as “overwhelming sexual jealousy.” The rage he felt over this perceived betrayal appears to have been the driving force behind the brutal assault.
The assault, which took place in the school building, was anything but an impulsive moment of frustration. Felton, in a carefully planned act of aggression, concealed the adjustable spanner in his jacket pocket as he approached Pyke from behind. CCTV footage captured the shocking moment when Anthony Felton took out the heavy tool and swung it repeatedly at his colleague’s head.
The violence of the attack was evident, and the onlookers who heard the disturbance rushed to the scene to offer assistance. Pyke, who was left reeling from the assault, managed to fend off his attacker, but not without suffering injuries that would land him in the hospital.
The use of a wrench in the assault was particularly chilling. A wrench, often used as a tool for mechanical work, is not a typical weapon in a workplace dispute. It underscored the severity of the attack and the deliberate nature of Felton’s actions.
⚠️ *Rhybudd: Gall cynnwys y fideo beri gofid.*
— Newyddion S4C (@NewyddionS4C) April 25, 2025
Dyma'r foment yr ymosododd y Prifathro Anthony Felton ar gydweithiwr yn Ysgol Gatholig Sant Ioan ym mis Mawrth eleni.
Cafodd ei ddedfrydu i ddwy flynedd a phedwar mis yn y carchar yn Llys y Goron Abertawe ddydd Gwener. pic.twitter.com/iYw2jiZuJa
Pyke’s attempts to protect himself, including kicking at Felton in an attempt to defend himself, were caught on video, and the footage left the public in stunned silence. The entire scene was so harrowing that gasps could be heard from the public gallery during the court hearing when the CCTV footage was shown.
The Aftermath and Legal Consequences
After the attack, Anthony Felton fled the scene in his car, attempting to distance himself from the chaos he had just caused. However, he could not escape the consequences of his actions.
Felton sent an email to the school staff, apologizing for the distress and problems his actions had caused, but this could not erase the damage he had done. His actions were a direct violation of the trust and authority that should be inherent in the role of a headteacher.
In the wake of the assault, Felton was arrested and later pleaded guilty to the charge of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. The legal proceedings revealed the deep emotional turmoil that had contributed to Felton’s violent outburst.
His defense team cited the recent death of his mother and his own cancer diagnosis as factors that may have influenced his actions. However, the judge in the case, Paul Thomas, made it clear that while personal struggles may have played a role, they did not excuse the extreme violence exhibited by Felton.
The judge described the assault as an “ambush” and noted that it was “entirely without precedent” for a headteacher to attack a deputy in such a manner.
The sentence, two years and four months in prison, was handed down with an indefinite restraining order, ensuring that Felton would not be allowed to contact Pyke in the future. This ruling sought to address the emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on the victim while sending a message about the serious consequences of such violence.
In his victim impact statement, Richard Pyke described the emotional toll the attack had taken on him. He revealed how deeply he had trusted Felton, only for that trust to be shattered in the most violent and unexpected way.
Pyke spoke about the fear that would stay with him, knowing that someone in a position of power and responsibility had attacked him from behind, with no warning or opportunity to defend himself. The psychological scars left by such an assault are often as lasting as the physical ones, and Pyke’s statement was a poignant reminder of the human cost of Felton’s actions.
The Larger Implications of the Incident
This shocking incident highlights the dangers of unchecked emotional instability in positions of authority. Felton, as the headteacher of a school, wielded significant power over his staff and students. His actions not only endangered the life of his deputy but also threatened the safety and well-being of the entire school community.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health support and conflict resolution in the workplace, especially in high-stress environments like schools.
Workplace violence is not a new issue, but the setting of this assault—an educational institution—adds a particularly tragic layer to the story. Schools are meant to be places of safety, learning, and personal growth, not arenas for violent confrontation. The fact that Felton, as a leader of the school, chose to act out his jealousy and rage in such a violent manner has profound implications for the trust that students, staff, and parents place in their educators.
Beyond the immediate legal consequences for Felton, the incident also raises broader questions about the culture of workplace relationships in educational institutions. Felton’s romantic involvement with a staff member, combined with his belief that Pyke had similarly become involved with her, created an atmosphere ripe for jealousy and resentment.
While the personal lives of teachers and school staff are not typically a matter of public concern, this case illustrates how interpersonal conflicts can spill over into professional environments with dangerous results.
Moreover, the response of the school community to this event will likely set the tone for how similar situations are handled in the future. It remains to be seen how the staff at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive School will move forward from this traumatic event and how the wider educational community will reflect on the importance of emotional intelligence, conflict management, and mental health support for those in leadership positions.
The case of Anthony John Felton’s violent assault on his deputy, Richard Pyke, is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked emotions and jealousy, especially when combined with a position of power.
Felton’s overwhelming sexual jealousy led him to ambush his colleague with a wrench, an act of violence that forever changed the lives of both men involved.
While Felton’s personal struggles may have contributed to his actions, the severity of the attack and the trauma inflicted on Pyke cannot be overlooked. This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of emotional well-being in leadership roles and the need for greater mental health support in the workplace.