A teacher at a Nottingham school has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for engaging in sexual relationships with two of his pupils. Josh Mills-Afford, who also goes by the name Patrick Thomas, committed the offences during separate school trips years apart.
Court Details
Nottingham Crown Court heard how the 37-year-old father-of-one, from West Bridgford, groomed his victims. He taught French at the school. When one pupil attempted to end their brief relationship, he kissed her in a classroom cupboard.
Both victims demonstrated considerable bravery by reading their impact statements in court. One described how her university aspirations were dashed due to low grades, and she suffered from insomnia and weight loss. The other spoke of the guilt she felt for keeping the relationship secret from her family and friends.
Judge's Remarks
Judge Mark Watson stated: "Your sexual abuse was a breach of the trust placed in you when you taught. School should be a place where pupils not only reach their academic achievements but where they spend their formative years and reach adulthood. You were trusted by the students, their parents, and your colleagues to look after those in your care. But instead, by having sexual relationships with two of your students, you abused that trust."
The judge rejected suggestions that the behaviour did not constitute grooming, noting that Mills-Afford knew he could get away with it. He added: "The girls might have been over the age of consent, but they were not equipped to deal with a relationship so one-sided in terms of the power dynamics."
Prosecution Case
Prosecutor Mark Bates detailed how the first victim was touched on the thigh and breast during a school trip to a cinema. The contact escalated to sexual touching in a car park and later to full sexual intercourse. Mills-Afford also requested a topless photograph, which she sent. When she ended the relationship, they kissed in a classroom and a cupboard.
The second victim came forward after learning of the allegations. She disclosed that Mills-Afford had purchased alcohol during a school trip and initiated a relationship when she was 17. He requested naked images, which she never sent.
Charges and Sentencing
Mills-Afford pleaded guilty to 11 charges of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust and one count of possessing an indecent image of a child. He had no previous convictions.
Victim Impact Statements
Girl A stated: "I was in constant fear about what was happening, but I did not want to get him into any trouble. Before all this happened, I was a happy girl and I felt like I was doing really well and getting good grades. But after the time this happened, I became a mess, I felt stupid and naive."
Girl B said: "I was manipulated into believing what was happening was normal. I lied to my family and friends to protect Josh. I hope I can come to terms with what happened."
Defence Mitigation
Simon Eckersley, mitigating, noted that since the news became public, Mills-Afford's marriage has broken down, he lost his job as a teacher, and he will never teach again.
The identities of the victims are protected by law.
