Anthony Felton was sentenced to two years and four months in prison in April this year after attacking his deputy and friend, Richard Pyke, in a jealous love rage, but has now been released
A headteacher who was caught up in a love triangle and brutally assaulted his deputy with a wrench in a fit of jealousy has been released from prison after five months behind bars.
Anthony Felton, from Penyrheol Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, was handed a two-year and four-month sentence in April this year for the attack on his deputy, Richard Pyke, the previous month. After just five months in prison, the 54-year-old was released under a home detention curfew this month.
He is legally required to adhere to an electronically monitored curfew for at least nine hours a day, although it typically lasts for 12 hours. The Ministry of Justice confirmed his release under home detention curfew (HDC) with an electronic tag, stating that the disgraced head had undergone a risk assessment and would be subject to strict conditions.
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At a hearing in April, Felton admitted attempted grievous bodily harm with intent after the attack at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive in Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot, on March 5 this year. He was later sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to two years and four months by Judge Paul Thomas.
The court heard the former headteacher was overcome by “overwhelming sexual jealousy” over a love triangle at the secondary school. A video captured the shocking moment the headteacher attacked his assistant, reports Wales Online.
Felton assaulted Mr Pyke, 51, with the metal wrench after discovering he was the father of a fellow teacher’s child and that Mr Pyke was romantically involved with the same woman. The two had been friends and work colleagues for 15 years.
Mr Pyke received treatment in hospital for minor injuries after Felton attacked him from behind with a metal wrench.
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.” The spokesperson didn’t provide an exact date for the release but confirmed: “Anthony Felton was released in August 2025.”
The Ministry of Justice stated that all home detention curfews (HDCs) are discretionary. No one is eligible for HDC unless they have been risk-assessed, and the prison governor makes the final decision.
Felton will be under strict licence conditions and a curfew enforced by electronic monitoring, as in every HDC case. All prisoners released on HDC must have served at least half the custodial part of their sentence.
All prisoners are subject to risk assessment prior to release on HDC. They are subject to an electronically monitored curfew for a minimum of nine hours a day by law, though generally it is for 12 hours.
Following the assault at the school on 5 March this year, Felton discarded the wrench and fled the school in his car. He subsequently sent an email to all staff 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, pleaded guilty to attempted grievous bodily harm with intent when he first appeared in court on April 7.