A school administrative worker from Cheltenham has pleaded not guilty to allegations of forming a sexual relationship with a male pupil while in a position of trust.
Leila Jackson, 43, of Gretton, Cheltenham, denied five charges of sexual activity with a boy aged between 16 and 17. The alleged offences are said to have occurred over a six-month period.
Court Hearing and Bail Conditions
During a hearing at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday, Jackson spoke only to confirm her name and enter her not guilty pleas to all charges.
The court has scheduled a six-day trial to take place in July 2027. Jackson was released on conditional bail and was ordered not to contact any prosecution witnesses, including the complainant.
Context: The Rebecca Joynes Case
This case emerges in the shadow of a recent high-profile conviction. Last year in May, paedophile teacher Rebecca Joynes was convicted after she slept with one pupil and later fell pregnant by a second.
A former colleague of Joynes has revealed the profound impact the scandal had on the school environment. 'They completely stopped trusting us,' the teacher told The Times, describing a 'toxic' atmosphere that led to an exodus of 'distraught' staff.
Following Joynes' suspension, rumours circulated that she had been buying alcohol for teenagers she invited to her flat. The scandal escalated as pupils made TikTok videos labelling her a 'paedo' and graffiti appeared in the school toilets.
Joynes was described as acting like a 'cool girl' who was overly sociable with students but never interacted with colleagues on a personal level. She was suspended in October 2021 after a report to Childline claimed she had sex with a 15-year-old pupil after buying him a £345 Gucci belt.
While on bail for that offence, she then became pregnant by one of his classmates, with whom she had slept with approximately 30 times.
Safeguarding in Focus
These consecutive cases have thrown a harsh spotlight on safeguarding protocols within educational institutions and the critical importance of maintaining professional boundaries between staff and pupils.
The allegations against Jackson and the conviction of Joynes underscore the severe consequences when positions of trust are allegedly breached, affecting not only the individuals involved but the entire school community's trust and morale.
