John Owen

John Owen (1952–2001) was a children's author and director and is best known for his Welsh teen television drama (Why me God), a series of books and TV programmes which he wrote and directed. In 1995, 1997 and 1999 he won the Tir na n-Og Award for the best Welsh Language fiction book for Children. Owen was a former Drama teacher and Head of Lower school at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen near Pontypridd, South Wales. He was arrested for five serious sex offences in 2001 after four former pupils came forward. He killed himself before facing trial. Education John Owen was a former pupil and prefect at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen. He completed his Bachelor of Education degree in 1974 at Trinity College in Carmarthen; in the same year he took up his first teaching appointment at his former secondary school. Child sexual abuse In September 2001, John Owen was arrested and charged with serious criminal offences against children at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen. On 4 October 2001 John Owen was found dead at his caravan in Porthcawl, having failed to appear in court. He had committed suicide.