A former pupil at a Welsh pupil referral unit has alleged that the council responsible has failed to pay an agreed £10,000 compensation package for the cruel and degrading treatment she claims to have endured. Rhiannon Evans, 26, attended Canolfan Brynffynnon in Felinheli, Gwynedd, from the age of nine. The unit was closed suddenly in 2014 following allegations of mistreatment by staff.
Allegations of mistreatment
Many former pupils were interviewed by police and provided accounts of the treatment they said they experienced while attending the school. The alleged offences took place between September 2006 and March 2014. Two teachers were suspended on March 6, 2014, and faced 49 charges between them. In total, 24 vulnerable children under the age of 16 made statements alleging mistreatment or cruelty.
The case was due to be heard at Mold Crown Court, but on the first day of the planned trial in March 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence, and the case was discontinued. It later emerged that the two main alleged perpetrators remained suspended on full pay until 2025.
Compensation claims
In summer 2024, solicitor Katherine Yates of Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors took up the case on behalf of former pupils seeking compensation. She welcomed the decision by Gwynedd Council to begin offering settlements in April 2026. However, Rhiannon Evans says she is still waiting to receive her agreed £10,000 settlement. Despite repeated attempts to obtain an explanation, no payment has been received, and no clear reason for the delay has been provided.
Rhiannon said: “When I joined the claim I was not convinced that we would receive any compensation for what we went through at Brynffynnon. We really suffered there.” She alleged her mistreatment included being forced to eat cake and gravy together and being shouted at when she refused. She said a member of staff poured a jug of blackcurrant juice over her head, and she had to sit all afternoon wet, cold, and sticky. “When I went home to my grandmother’s house she put me straight in the bath. Other times they would throw food on the floor and we had to eat it off the floor like animals.”
“They had horrible nicknames for all of us and just thinking about my time there makes me cry. There were big tyres in the playground. I was made to stand in the tyres and they used to pile more tyres on so that only my head was showing and then they would kick footballs at my head. Sometimes they kicked the football at me from behind so I could not see it coming. This would happen almost every day. They did it to me and lots of the other kids as well.”
“I was so pleased when I was offered a settlement. I have never had that much money before and I had planned to go on holiday and do other positive things to try to improve my life and move on. Now I just think that they are never going to pay me and I feel worse now than before I received the settlement offer.”
Council response
A Cyngor Gwynedd spokesman said: “All children and young people should be safe while at their place of education. Any abuse – today or in the past – is a very serious matter. No child should have to suffer abuse of any kind and, although these cases go back several years, we extend our sympathies to the victims and apologise to them.”
“In the case of Canolfan Brynffynnon, which closed in 2014, it emerged that pupils had been subjected to abuse. A joint investigation was carried out between Cyngor Gwynedd and North Wales Police which resulted in a criminal case as well as the implementation of child protection procedures. The criminal case did not proceed and over the subsequent years the Council carried out a number of investigations and reviews into what happened.”
“A new review looking at the action taken at that time has already been commissioned by the council to ensure that any lessons learned at the time continue to be implemented today. Whilst we cannot comment on employment issues relating to members of staff or former members of staff we recognise that this case has taken an unacceptably long period and apologise for that. While the complex and unique circumstances of the cases contributed to the delay these issues should have been resolved much sooner.”
“By now all aspects of child safeguarding arrangements in Gwynedd have been completely reviewed and strengthened in line with the recommendations of the Our Bravery Brought Justice report, which was published in 2025. We would urge anyone who has been a victim of abuse, or members of the public who are concerned about potential child abuse, to contact the police or social services. We also offer support and counselling and encourage anyone who needs this sort of help to contact us.”
Regarding compensation payments, the council spokesman added: “In attempt to be fair and compassionate to victims, and when it is deemed suitable, compensation claims may be agreed upon so that victims can avoid unnecessary court processes. Whilst we cannot comment on individual cases we would note that, as with all public bodies, independent insurers are responsible for investigating compensation claims and for deciding their next steps in accordance with the law. The insurance companies and their lawyers will always deal with these matters confidentially as a matter of course.”
Legal action threatened
Solicitor Katherine Yates is still hopeful that Cyngor Gwynedd might recognise their responsibilities towards Rhiannon and pay the amount owed, but if not, she is prepared to issue court proceedings. “A contract is a contract and we have a valid contract for Gwynedd to pay Rhiannon £10,000,” she said. She urged anyone who attended Canolfan Brynffynnon, or the parent or guardian of a former pupil, to contact her at Andrew Grove & Co Solicitors by calling 01223 367133 or emailing katherine@andrewgroveandco.com.
