Anthony Felton, of Penyrheol Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison in April after attacking his deputy Richard Pyke the previous month
A headmaster who assaulted his deputy with a spanner in a fit of jealousy has been released from prison. Anthony Felton, residing on Penyrheol Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, was handed a two-year and four-month sentence in April this year following his attack on deputy Richard Pyke the previous month.
The 54-year-old was granted release from prison under a home detention curfew earlier this month. By law, he is required to adhere to an electronically monitored curfew for at least nine hours daily, although it typically extends to 12 hours.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed his release under home detention curfew (HDC) with an electronic tag, stating that the disgraced headmaster had undergone a risk assessment and would be subject to stringent conditions.
During a hearing in April, Felton pleaded guilty to attempted grievous bodily harm with intent following the assault at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive in Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot, on March 5 this year.
He received his sentence at Swansea Crown Court from Judge Paul Thomas. The court was informed that the former headmaster was driven by “overwhelming sexual jealousy” due to a love triangle at the secondary school, reports Wales Online.
A video captured the shocking moment when the headmaster attacked his assistant.
Felton launched his assault on Mr Pyke, 51, wielding the metal spanner after discovering he had fathered a fellow teacher’s child and was romantically involved with the same colleague. The duo had maintained a friendship and professional relationship spanning 15 years.
Mr Pyke received hospital treatment for minor wounds following Felton’s surprise attack from behind using a metal spanner.
A Prison Service spokesman confirmed Felton’s early release, stating: “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.”
Whilst the spokesperson declined to provide a specific release date, they verified: “Anthony Felton was released in August 2025.”
The Ministry of Justice emphasised that all home detention curfews (HDCs) are at the discretion of authorities. Eligibility for HDC requires a comprehensive risk assessment, with the prison governor holding final authority over the decision.
Felton faces stringent licence conditions and a curfew monitored through electronic tagging, standard procedure for all HDC cases.
Every prisoner granted HDC must have completed a minimum of half their custodial sentence. Risk assessments are mandatory before any HDC release is approved.
Legal requirements mandate an electronically monitored curfew for at least nine hours daily, though typically this extends to 12 hours. Following the assault at the school on March 5 this year, Felton discarded the wrench and departed from the school in his vehicle.
He subsequently sent an email to all staff members expressing regret “for the problems and distress his actions were likely to cause”.
Felton, who was appointed headteacher in September 2023 according to a yearly report from the governing body, admitted to attempted grievous bodily harm with intent during his initial court appearance on April 7.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
#Headteacher #attacked #deputy #spannerlike #tool #love #triangle #released
