A NORTH Wales headteacher has pleaded not guilty to all 21 counts of child sex offences put to him in court this morning (January 5).

Neil Foden of Gwynant in Old Colwyn appeared via videolink from HMP Berwyn before Mold Crown Court for a plea hearing.

Foden, who had been head of Ysgol Friars in Bangor, was initially charged in September of last year.

In Mold Crown Court this morning, the 66-year-old pleaded not guilty to all of the following charges:

  • 14 counts of sexual activity with a child
  • One count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
  • One count of attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence
  • One count of sexual communication with a child
  • One count of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust
  • One count of possessing indecent photographs of a child for show
  • One count of sexual assault of a child under 13
  • One count of assault by penetration

The court heard that there were six complainants in the case.

Judge Rhys Rowlands extended the custody time for Foden to April 29.

A trial date has been set for Mold Crown Court on Monday, April 22, before Judge Rowlands.

The trial is estimated to last up to three weeks, according to the judge.