Rebecca Joynes, a 30-year-old secondary school teacher from Manchester, has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison for grooming and sexually abusing two pupils. She was found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child, including two while in a position of trust, following a trial in May.
Joynes groomed both boys from the age of 15. While on bail for sexual activity with the first victim, Boy A, she began a sexual relationship with the second, Boy B, and later gave birth to his child. Sentencing her at Manchester Crown Court, Judge Cornell described her conduct as showing 'breathtaking arrogance' and stated she had abused her position of trust for sexual gratification.
In a victim impact statement read in court, Boy B said he was 'coerced, controlled, manipulated, sexually abused, and mentally abused.' He described the aftermath as 'a very dark time' and said the abuse 'tore my family apart.' The judge noted that both boys were 'vulnerable to the advances from an older attractive woman.'
Joynes was also placed on the sex offenders register for life, issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years, and a restraining order in relation to both victims. She was crying as the sentence was passed.
