A school principal who was imprisoned for assaulting his deputy with a tool during a love triangle confrontation has publicly addressed his downfall for the first time.
Dr. Anthony John Felton, aged 54, repeatedly struck Richard Pyke, aged 51, on the head upon discovering they were romantically involved with the same female teacher. Felton, without his wife Maria’s knowledge, had a child with the teacher who also worked at the school. Learning about Pyke’s affair triggered Felton’s anger, leading to the physical attack.
The incident occurred at St Joseph’s Catholic School and Sixth Form Centre in Port Talbot, South Wales, resulting in Pyke sustaining a head injury that required medical attention. Felton was later sentenced to two years and four months in prison for attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. However, he served only five months and was released in the summer of the following year.
In his recent statement, Felton expressed deep shame and acknowledged the appropriateness of his custodial sentence for the assault. The violence occurred as Pyke was seated at his desk in the school office.
Both educators had previously held high regard at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic School and considered each other friends. However, Felton, who fathered a child with the teacher during their affair, discovered her secret relationship with Pyke after a school trip to Auschwitz.
Felton’s regrettable violent reaction led to his incarceration. He reflected on his unexpected imprisonment at 54 years old, emphasizing the fear and anxiety he experienced during his time in prison.
Despite initial concerns about safety in prison, Felton was released early under the Home Office Detention Curfew Scheme and placed under electronic monitoring. His desire to apologize to Pyke remains unfulfilled due to a restraining order prohibiting contact with his former deputy.
During court proceedings at Swansea Crown Court, it was revealed that Felton had been promoted to headteacher of the 900-student school in 2023 after 17 years as head of the mathematics department. The assault on Pyke occurred on March 5, 2025, during Felton’s second academic year as headteacher.