Port Talbot head teacher who attacked deputy released from prison

A head teacher who was jailed for attacking a fellow teacher with a metal wrench has been released four months after being sentenced, the Prison Service has confirmed.

Anthony Felton, 54, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison after attacking his deputy, Richard Pyke, at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive School in Aberavon.

Mr Pyke, 51, was treated for minor injuries in hospital after Felton attacked him from behind in an incident captured on the school’s CCTV.

Felton, of Penyrheol Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, admitted attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and was jailed at Swansea Crown Court in April.

The court heard Felton was distressed after finding out he was the father of a fellow teacher’s child and had recently discovered Mr Pyke was in a relationship with the same teacher.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Pyke told the court Felton, whom he trusted completely, brought a metal wrench into his office and rained a “number of blows” on him.

Mr Pyke fell to the ground and attempted to kick away Felton before being helped by colleagues who heard the disturbance.

Following the attack Felton threw the wrench away and drove off before sending an email to all staff apologising “for the problems and distress his actions were likely to cause”.

The Prison Service has confirmed he was released this month under the Home Detention Curfew Scheme.

It means he will be subject to strict licence conditions and a curfew enforced by electronic monitoring.

It is understood the ultimate decision on releasing him was made by the prison governor.

“Offenders released on Home Detention Curfew are subject to strict conditions and must be tagged. If they break the rules they will be sent back to prison,” a prison service spokesperson said.