Sophie Edwards, 41, a mother of four from Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent, has been jailed for three years and two months after admitting five counts of sexual activity with a child.
The offences involved a 15-year-old schoolboy, with sexual activity taking place in a car. Edwards also exchanged sexual images with him and performed sex acts, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard.
Investigation and Snapchat contact
Staffordshire Police began investigating after receiving a tip-off. Prosecutor Alison Whalley said Edwards and the boy communicated on Snapchat, and she sent him topless photographs and a video of herself using a sex toy.
Whalley said: "She performed oral sex on him. He described having sex with the defendant. Sexual activity occurred in a car. The boy was still in school at the time. On occasion he would be provided with alcohol by the defendant, three or four beers. There is no suggestion that any party was severely intoxicated during the course of the sexual intercourse."
Victim's mother speaks of impact
The victim's mother said the impact on her son remains profound and lasting, according to The Sentinel. She said he became overwhelmed with shame.
She said: "The fact she worked in a school makes it hard to process as parents. The impact on our son and family will be with us forever."
Mitigation plea
In mitigation, Ros Scott Bell said Edwards was aware a custodial sentence would be imposed but urged the judge to consider suspending the term.
Scott Bell said: "She is an individual wracked with guilt, not only because of the negative impact on her victim and his family but also because of the affect of her own behaviour on her own children and her own wider family. She has four children herself. From her arrest she was estranged from her own family, barring one or two hours a week where she could see her children under supervision."
She added: "She has lost her job, lost her career. She will no longer be able to work in the sector in which she has hitherto excelled. She is professionally embarrassed. She feels deep humiliation. That has had a profound effect on her. She has had this hanging over her. She has recently been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. She wants to be able to give back to society and make amends. The effect on her four children would be devastating. She wants to be involved in their upbringing and they are all distraught at the thought of losing their mother again. The defendant is of good character. She has never before crossed the threshold of any police station or court. The references all speak highly of her."
Sentencing
Judge Graeme Smith said: "I understand the circumstances in which this started. There were difficulties in your own relationship and you were drinking. That is no excuse for what happened. It has had a lasting and profound impact on the boy and the family. You are the author of the impact on everyone. There were at some point sexual images shared."
Edwards was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.
