UK
Teacher accused of having sex with two students says she ruined her ‘dream job’ with stupid ‘mistakes’, jury hears
A teacher accused of having sex with two teenage pupils has told a jury she ruined her “dream job” with stupid “mistakes”.
Rebecca Joynes denies having sex with the two boys but admitted, in Manchester Crown Court, to having broken safeguarding rules by being in contact with them on Snapchat and having them back to her apartment in Salford Quays.
The 30-year-old was already suspended from her job and on bail for alleged sexual activity with boy A, 15, when she allegedly took the virginity of a second boy, known as boy B, 16, who she later became pregnant by.
Joynes denies that any sexual activity took place with boy A – whose semen was recovered from her bedsheets.
In court she also maintains that the relationship with boy B only began after he had left school and she had lost her job, so no legal offence was committed.
The court heard how she later wrote to boy B, saying: “Every inch of you is perfect. You are all I ever dream about.”
Joynes said: “This was a year after he left school. I was in love with him. I was pregnant with his child.”
She also described teaching as her “dream job” but said she had “ruined” her chances of working in the profession after making “mistakes”.
On Tuesday, the defendant was cross-examined by Joe Allman, prosecuting, for a second day, as he pointed out “similarities” in both cases.
Mr Allman alleged that both boys were 15 when she began taking them into her flat and she communicated with both on Snapchat – where messages are deleted and not recoverable by police.
Rebecca Joynes arrives at Manchester Crown Court on Monday. Pic: PA
In both cases, the activity was a secret from their parents and they both flirted with her, boy A, calling her “sexy” and boy B, sending her a message saying, “Get your tits out”.
“What did you reply?” Mr Allman said.
“Laughing faces,” Joynes replied.
But instead of shutting down such behaviour, Mr Allman accused Joynes of giving “ambiguous” responses.
The ex-teacher maintained that sex with boy B only began after he had turned 16 and left school, and she had been dismissed from her job.
But boy B told the jury that while he was still at school, Joynes straddled and kissed him at her flat and then on a second occasion they had sex.
Read more from Sky News:
Doctor diagnosed with incurable cancer free of disease
Woman partially paralysed after star’s stage dive into crowd
Man bludgeoned friend to death with hammer
This was after Joynes had been arrested, suspended from her job and bailed as police investigated allegations of contact with boy A.
She claimed that boy B contacted her to see how she was and she liked the attention, as she was lonely, and a friendship grew.
The court heard they would go for walks and he would visit her flat as she preferred staying in her apartment in Salford rather than with her parents on the Wirral.
Joynes said: “Speaking to my family, I had made mistakes, I had basically ruined my chances with my dream job.”
Mr Allman said that Joynes had a supportive family, sister and a best friend back home but instead chose the company of a 15-year-old boy.
“How on Earth can that second scenario be a draw for you?” Mr Allman said.
Joynes said: “I was stupid but I did choose that option, obviously I was breaking my bail conditions.”
The defendant claimed that after the relationship became sexual, it soured and she said that boy B became “controlling”.
Mr Allman said: “Let’s look at the reality of the situation. You were 29, living in a flat, had a good income, drove an Audi A1.
“He was a child, you were an adult. He was a pupil, you were a teacher.
“He lived with his mum and dad, they were not supposed to know about your liaisons with him. Who was controlling who?”
Jurors heard Joynes and boy B rowed and could not decide on whether to keep the baby or have an abortion.
Boy B claims he tried to end the relationship but did not know how to, called her a “paedo” and told her to find someone her own age but claimed emotional pressure came from Joynes to keep their relationship going.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Joynes denies six counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, including two while being a person in a position of trust.
The trial was adjourned until Wednesday morning.