Rebecca Joynes, a 30-year-old teacher, was found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child, including two when she was a person in a position of trust. Her ex-boyfriend claimed to have no idea she was on trial for grooming and having sex with schoolboys. He described their past relationship as strained, with Joynes being jealous, controlling, and insecure, often demanding to know his whereabouts. Joynes tried to argue that she felt lonely and craved attention following their breakup. She groomed her victims by buying expensive gifts, engaging in sexual activities, and manipulating them emotionally to keep the relationships going.
One of the victims, a 15-year-old boy known as Boy A, was given gifts such as a Gucci belt and was taken to Joynes’ flat, where they engaged in sexual activities. Another victim, Boy B (16), was invited on a “date night” involving an Ann Summers sex game and hidden notes around her flat. Boy B later called Joynes a “paedo” during an argument but eventually succumbed to her emotional pressure to continue the relationship. Joynes became pregnant by Boy B and was suspended from her teaching job at a high school. The court heard how Joynes abused her position of trust to groom and exploit these vulnerable schoolboys, leaving a lasting impact on them.
Following her guilty verdict, Joynes was granted bail until her sentencing on July 4. The judge warned her about the consequences of her actions, especially considering a baby was involved in the case. Jane Wilson, the Senior Crown Prosecutor, described Joynes as a sexual predator who used her position to prey on children. The Crown Prosecution Service worked with the police to gather evidence, including eyewitness testimonies, phone records, and CCTV footage. The victims supported the prosecution, and Joynes will now face the repercussions of her actions. Her behavior has caused significant harm to the victims and betrayed the trust placed in her as an educator and guardian of children.
