Cardiff Uni hires man convicted of strangling woman as live-in worker at Talybont Halls

A man who has been previously convicted of strangulation has been given as job as a live-in Residence Life worker at Cardiff Uni’s Talybont Halls of Residence.

Former teacher Sean Hughes, 40, was sentenced to nine months in prison for strangling a woman which led to injuries on her neck and eye. He served half of his sentence before being released on licence, reports WalesOnline.

As a Residence Life worker at Talybont Hall, his role includes “supporting vulnerable students and managing crisis situations” and providing advice to students in residences, who are often first years.

Hughes was formally the head of sixth form at King Monkton, a private school in Roath. However, he is now pursuing a postgraduate degree in international criminology and criminal justice.

His profile is no longer visible on the “Meet the Team” section of the Talybont Residences webpage.

A spokesperson for Cardiff University said: “We do not comment on individual student cases. However, considering the information presented we can confirm we are investigating to ensure all relevant information at the point of admission was presented in line with our policies.”

Debbie Beadle, CEO of Cardiff’s Women’s Aid said in a statement: “We know that perpetrators of violence against women and girls often seek out positions of power. It is critical that universities have robust processes in place to prevent the perpetration of violence and abuse on their campuses and show a zero tolerance to violence against women and girls across all areas of university life.”

“While we are aware that some action has been taken by universities to improve wellbeing and enable access to support, preventing violence against women and girls needs to be part of the whole university culture. Women should be able to attend university knowing that the institution will support them to thrive in a safe and empowering environment.”

She further pointed to a study done by the women’s charity which found only 44 per cent of women studying at universities in the city felt safe in their accommodation, adding: “Many of them reported experiencing harassment, stalking, groping and unwanted sexual touching. Many stated that the fear for their safety was impacting on the day-to-day life at university.”

It is understood that his conviction was disclosed to the university when Hughes applied and the university noted that criminal convictions do not automatically prevent you from going to Cardiff University.

The charity also said: “Accessing education with a criminal conviction can be an important part of an individual’s rehabilitation and gaining the skills, knowledge and qualifications necessary to tackle the challenges of employment. There is a robust, evidence-based criminal justice system and it’s their role and responsibility to determine an individual’s suitability for integration in society, and we have policies in place in relation to those students with criminal convictions and consider each on a case-by-case basis.”

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