Accounts of Mistreatment Emerge from Closed Referral Unit
Former pupils of Canolfan Brynffynnon, an educational referral unit in Y Felinheli, have shared harrowing experiences of abuse during their time at the institution. Allegations include being forced to consume dog biscuits from the floor, enduring physical assaults such as being pelted with hard footballs and having noses flicked until they bled, and being locked in dark toilets. These accounts have surfaced as Cyngor Gwynedd, the local authority, has acknowledged that abuse occurred and has issued an apology to the victims.
Victims Pursue Legal Action and Compensation
Rhiannon Evans, who was 10 when she attended the unit, and Levi Lewis, who was four, are among 21 individuals currently pursuing claims against the council. Two claimants have already reached a settlement of £10,000 each with the local authority for the mistreatment they endured. Katherine Yates, the solicitor representing the victims, is advocating for a public inquiry into the council's management of schools, highlighting that this case follows closely after the conviction of paedophile headmaster Neil Foden.
Rhiannon Evans, now 27, recounted incidents such as being made to eat a Bourbon biscuit off the floor and having a pint of blackcurrant juice poured over her head by a staff member. She described feeling like a "peasant" and detailed how the smell of the juice lingered for days. Rhiannon also mentioned punishments for bad reports from main schools, which included being locked in bathrooms or having tires stacked on them while footballs were kicked at their heads. She stated that the emotional trauma from her childhood at the unit, which closed in 2014, remains with her.
Levi Lewis, now 21, was sent to Brynffynnon in 2009 at the age of four due to disruptive behavior, later diagnosed as ADHD. He recalled being made to eat dog biscuits, a memory that still causes him distress. Levi described being dragged by his hair, confined to a dark toilet for extended periods, and having his nose flicked until it bled, leading to ongoing issues. He also developed a fear of footballs from being targeted with them and continues to experience night terrors related to his time at the unit.
Council Responds to Allegations
Cyngor Gwynedd has formally received 10 claims, with nine already settled. In a statement, the council admitted that "pupils had been subjected to abuse" and extended its sympathies and apologies to the victims. The council stated that a new review has been commissioned to examine actions taken at the time and ensure that lessons learned are still implemented. It added that child safeguarding arrangements in Gwynedd have been comprehensively reviewed and strengthened in line with recommendations from the 2025 'Our Bravery Brought Justice' report.
Two former staff members implicated in the allegations have strongly denied the claims, pointing to the discontinuation of child cruelty charges against them in 2016. North Wales Police explained that the criminal case did not meet the threshold for prosecution beyond reasonable doubt, a higher standard of proof than required for civil compensation claims.
Calls for Broader Investigation
Solicitor Katherine Yates stressed the need for a public inquiry, arguing that the Brynffynnon case is not an isolated incident, especially in light of the Neil Foden scandal. She questioned what other hidden issues might exist within the council's oversight of schools and emphasized the importance of understanding what happened, why it happened, who is accountable, and what measures can prevent future occurrences.
Source: I was made to eat dog biscuits off the floor - pupils speak out after school abuse payouts