Rebecca Joynes, a 30-year-old teacher, was found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust. She had been suspended from her job for alleged sexual activity with a 15-year-old boy, named Boy A, when she allegedly took the virginity of a second boy, Boy B, 16, who she later became pregnant by. The baby was taken into care shortly after birth. Disturbing Snapchat messages between Joynes and the school pupils were revealed in court as evidence.
During a search of Joynes’ apartment, police found scattered rose petals, a birthday card for Boy B, handwritten notes, and a baby grow. It was evident that Joynes had planned a date night to inform Boy B that she was pregnant and he was the father. In a series of handwritten notes, she left clues for the boy to follow, leading to various surprises. Additionally, officers found a small baby grow with the words: ‘I love my daddy to the moon and back’ embossed on it, packs of Pregnacare tablets, and a love letter to Boy B.
Joynes denied any sexual activity with Boy A when he was underage and tried to delete messages between them by resetting her phone. However, police were able to recover messages that led to a shopping trip where she bought him an expensive Gucci belt. The Snapchat exchanges showed flirtatious conversations and the grooming of Boy A before engaging in sexual activity. Joynes later invited Boy B to her flat after being arrested for her relationship with Boy A. She became pregnant with their daughter in April 2022.
In court, Joynes claimed she only engaged in a relationship with Boy B after he turned 16, left school, and she was dismissed from her position as a teacher. She will be sentenced in July. The case highlighted the predatory behavior of Joynes, who took advantage of her position of trust to manipulate and abuse the teenage boys. The evidence presented in court, including the Snapchat messages and handwritten notes, painted a disturbing picture of her grooming and exploitation of vulnerable young boys.
