Rebecca Joynes, a 30-year-old teacher, is currently on trial at Manchester Crown Court for denying charges of having sexual relations with two teenage pupils while teaching at a Greater Manchester school. Joynes admitted to making “mistakes” and behaving “stupidly” by breaking safeguarding rules as a teacher. She was suspended from her job and on bail for alleged sexual activity with a 15-year-old student, known as boy A, prior to allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a second student, boy B, who she later became pregnant by. Joynes denies engaging in any sexual activity with boy A and claims that the relationship with boy B only turned sexual after he had left school and she was no longer his teacher.
Boy B testified in court that while still a student, Joynes had kissed him at her flat and later engaged in sexual intercourse with him. This happened after Joynes had been arrested and bailed for allegations involving boy A. Joynes admitted that her relationship with boy B only turned sexual after she lost her job as a teacher. She characterized the relationship as starting from a place of loneliness and a desire for attention, but she claimed that boy B eventually became “controlling.” The prosecution questioned the power dynamics between Joynes and the teenage boys, highlighting the significant age difference and the position of trust she held as their teacher.
During the trial, details emerged of Joynes’s interactions with the students, including communication on Snapchat, secret meetings at her apartment, and flirtatious messages. Prosecutors pointed out that Joynes’ responses to the students’ advances were ambiguous and that she did not shut down inappropriate behavior, such as calling her “sexy” and asking her to expose herself. Despite these interactions, Joynes maintained that the sexual relationship with boy B did not begin until he turned 16 and had left school. The defense argued that the relationship was consensual and did not constitute a legal offense since Joynes was no longer in a position of trust over boy B.
The trial showcased a complex narrative involving allegations of inappropriate relationships and misconduct from a teacher towards her students. Joynes’s admission of making mistakes and behaving recklessly raised questions about professionalism and boundaries in educational settings. The prosecution highlighted the power dynamics at play and the impact of Joynes’s actions on the students involved. The jury heard conflicting testimonies and evidence regarding the timing and nature of the relationships, raising doubts about the legality and ethicality of Joynes’s conduct. The trial was adjourned, and further proceedings will continue to uncover the truth behind these troubling allegations.
