Former math teacher, Rebecca Joynes, will never be able to teach again after being found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child, two of which occurred while she was in a position of trust. The 30-year-old broke down in tears when the jury delivered their verdict at Manchester Crown Court. Joynes, who once loved her “dream job,” admitted to struggling with loneliness during lockdowns and separating from her partner of nine years. She gained attention from her male students at work and engaged in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old pupil, Boy A. She later fell in love with Boy B, another student, and had his baby after he turned 16. Joynes eventually admitted to “mistakes” and that she had ruined her career.
During the trial, it was revealed that Joynes groomed Boy A by buying him an expensive designer belt and then taking him to her apartment, where they had sex twice. Boy A was told to keep their interactions a secret, but he shared what happened with friends. Joynes and Boy A had oral sex, and she warned him not to tell anyone about their encounters. When Boy A’s mother noticed a mark on his neck, she became suspicious, and Joynes was eventually caught. Despite being suspended during a police investigation, Joynes went on to have a sexual relationship with Boy B, a 15-year-old pupil. She insisted that they didn’t become intimate until he turned 16. Joynes later had a baby with Boy B and claimed that the child was taken away from her.
After being found out, Joynes admitted that she had made mistakes and that she had destroyed her career by her actions. The mother of Boy A was devastated when she learned about the relationship between Joynes and her son. She was furious with Joynes and demanded answers from both her son and the school. Joynes was suspended during the police investigation, where she denied any sexual activity with Boy A. However, she started a long-term relationship with another 15-year-old pupil, Boy B, and broke her bail conditions. Joynes later confessed that she had fallen in love with the boy, but their relationship turned controlling, with Joynes asking for access to his location and social media passwords.
Joynes’s predatory behavior as a teacher has permanently ended her career in education. Her actions have left a trail of devastation, with two teenage pupils becoming involved in inappropriate relationships with her. Joynes’s predatory behavior and manipulation of vulnerable students have rightfully led to her conviction and sentencing. The impact of her actions on the pupils involved, their families, and the school community is likely profound. Joynes’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals, especially in positions of trust like teaching. Her downfall is a reminder of the responsibility that comes with working in professions that involve working closely with young people.
