Rebecca Joynes RECAP: Teacher breaks down in tears as she's jailed for sex with 2 pupils
The 30-year-old was punished for six counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child - one of which got her pregnant.
A sex predator teacher found guilty of having sex with two pupils has been sentenced to 6.5 years in jail. Rebecca Joynes, 30, sobbed in court as she learnt her fate.
She hid her face as she arrived at Manchester Crown Court for her sordid crimes against the two teenage boys - including one who got her pregnant.
Ms Joynes, of Pensby Road in Thingwall, Wirral, is facing a lengthy jail term for four counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts with sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.
She met the boys - who cannot be named for legal reasons - when she taught them at a Greater Manchester school. The teacher said that the first boy - known as Boy A - would be “flirtatious” with her and say “you're sexy” as he walked past.
She claimed he nagged her for her phone number during lessons and she gave him most of it - and he guessed the final two digits. Over the course of the relationship she she showered him with gifts including a £345 Gucci belt from Selfridges.
The second boy - Boy B - she admits to having a relationship with - but only after he turned 16. She described the boy as her “best friend”, said they’d go on walks together, message on Snapchat and that she helped him with his mock GCSEs.
After he turned 16 she said he sent her a message that said “I’ve left school now” with a winky face emoji. The court heard he went to her apartment after she had been dismissed and during an emotional conversation they had sex.
She called the relationship “toxic” and said the teenager was “controlling” but later found out she was pregnant.
THIS LIVE BLOG IS NOW CLOSED...
KEY EVENTS
Joynes made subject of restraining order
Joynes has been made subject to a restraining order against the boys.
She will also be made to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, reports MEN>
CCTV captures moment paedophile teacher Rebecca Joynes smirks at teen in luxury shop
CCTV captured the moment paedophile teacher Rebecca Joynes smirked after buying her teenage victim a lavish £345 Gucci belt, before taking him back to her flat.
Rebecca Joynes, 30, groomed the boy, Boy A, with a shopping trip to the Trafford Centre in Greater Manchester before taking him back to her apartment and having sex with him when he was 15. She then fell pregnant with another teenage pupil.
Body cam footage shows Joynes arrest
Police body cam footage has revealed the moment that teacher Joynes was arrested after sexually abusing two school boys.
Rebecca Joynes: Police body cam shows arrest of school teacher
Teacher 'used social media' to assist abuse
An NSPCC spokesperson said: "Joynes abused her position of trust and authority as a teacher to groom and sexually abuse a pupil. While suspended she then used social media to start communicating with another teenage boy from her school who she then went on to sexually abuse.
"Child sexual abuse, in whatever form, can have a serious and lasting impact on the victims and it is so important the two boys in this case receive the support they need to move forward with their lives.
"This case also reinforces to anyone who has suffered child sexual abuse, that if they speak out they will be listened to and justice can be served."
'Women can still be paedophiles'
Detective Constable Beth Alexander, of GMP's Child Protection Investigation Unit in Salford, said: “Rebecca Joynes abused her position of trust as a teacher and used it to manipulate and abuse two boys. It is completely incomprehensible the impact this has had on those young men and their families. School should be a place of safety for children.
“It’s clear from some of the public commentary when Joynes was convicted that there is still a lack of understanding when it comes to men and boys being the victims of sexual offences.
"They have had to read comments stating others are ‘jealous’ of them, and that they should be’ happy a young female teacher was interested in them’, and this rhetoric is very damaging and dangerous.
“Women can still be paedophiles; this term is not reserved only for men. Men and boys can still be victims of sexual abuse. I would encourage anyone who wants to pass comment on this case really thinks before they speak, about the impact their words could have on not only those affected by this case, but others who are currently out there suffering.
“These victims have been incredibly brave speaking up about what has happened to them, and I hope this investigation gives other men and boys who may be being sexually exploited the confidence to come forward. We will take your allegations seriously and treat you with dignity and respect.
“Our commitment to protecting children is unwavering. Speaking out about sexual abuse is incredibly difficult, but I ask that those who believe they are going through something similar, report this to us. We will support you, investigate, and act robustly against perpetrators.”
Case has concluded
Joynes was led away, crying, from the dock into custody after being told she will face 6.5 years behind bars.
The case has now concluded.
Joynes 'brought this on herself'
You were emotionally needy following that breakup,” she said.
You turned these young boys for those needs, they were less threatening and you could be in control of that. It is not so much you have an attraction to young boys but their youth gives them characteristics you were attracted to.
You liked that they were attracted to you and were boosted by their attention. You were always in control and able to call the shots. You were the one with the car, the job, the flat, the money, the life experience.
Before these offences you were a high achiever - you chose to throw that away.
You would not be in this position if you hadn't acted in this way. You brought this on yourself."
'It might be asked what 15 year-old wouldn't want to have sex with their teacher'
The judge continues to say that Joynes fell pregnant and was later arrested.
Joynes reset her phone, as she had done so after the allegations concerning Boy A, the court hears.
"From the outside it might be easy to fall into misconception these two boys were not victims. It might be asked what 15 year-old wouldn't want to have sex with their teacher," the judge says.
"'Surely they were up for it, there is no crime.'
"There Is no doubt this is a crime. They were vulnerable to advances from older attractive women. 15yo boys are no less susceptible to advances than 15yo girls.
"They are just as impressionable," she said.
"They did not have self control or life experience to step back," she added.
'Unwilling ability to face up to wrongdoing'
In the judge's summing up comments, she spoke about how Joynes began contact with Boy A:
You were a teacher at a Greater Manchester School.
You set Boy A a challenge to guess the last two digits of your phone - a ploy to provide him with your number. He guessed and you both exchanged messages a few days before switching to Snapchat.
They were not overtly sexual, but clearly suggestive, it must have been absolutely clear to you that it was inappropriate. It must have been clear to him that you were interested in him. You arrange to meet him after school. You agreed he could stay the night afterwards.
It’s obvious you planned for him to stay, you had discussed it with him and he packed a bag to stay."
The judge continued:
You picked him up and took him to the Trafford Centre, took him to the Gucci concession stand and bought him a belt for £345.
There is compelling evidence of flirtatious body language. This is a clear indication of grooming behaviour - I cannot accept this was because you didn't know how to say no, of course you intended to buy for him.
You have shown an unwilling inability to face up to wrongdoing - this does you no favours Ms Joynes."
Joynes sobbed in court
Joynes could be heard crying after being led from the dock and had began sobbing as her jail sentence was delivered.
Case adjourned for sentencing
The case has now been adjourned.
This is so the judge can consider her sentence.
Judge retires to consider sentence
The judge has said she will now retire to consider her sentence.
Joynes will be remanded in custody until the judge passes sentence.
“Miss Joynes, you know what the outcome is going to be,” she told her, reports MEN.
'The shorter the better, for the baby'
Mr O’Brien said his client has no previous convictions. He said positive character references have been submitted to the court, and they "speak very highly of her".
The defendant understands her own conduct has seen her miss out on the early years of her baby's life. The baby will miss out on very important contact with her mother. The defendant understands that's entirely of her making - and it’s not the baby’s fault,” he said.
The shorter the time, the better for the baby,” the barrister added. He said the baby was taken from her when they were born and it was ‘harrowing’ for Joynes.
Mr O’Brien said she had supervised contact with her child two to three times per week.
The nature of her offending will place her as a vulnerable inmate, I ask the court to sentence as short as possible in keeping with Your Honour’s public duty,” he said.
Joynes enters the dock - assessed as 'emotionally fragile'
The defence counsel for Joynes, Michael O’Brien, is addressing the court in regards to sentencing guidelines.
Speaking to the court, he said in Joynes's evidence she said she has suffered from anxiety and depression, especially in lockdown.
She has been assessed as "emotionally fragile" by the probation service, Mr O’Brien added.
A recap ahead of formal sentencing
After a trial at Manchester Crown Court back in May, Joynes was found guilty of six counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.
The offences concerned two teenage boys she met through her job as a teacher at a Greater Manchester school. The boys - and the school - cannot be identified for legal reasons.
Joynes has been on conditional bail since the trial but has been told to be "under no illusions" as to what will happen today.
Sentencing guidelines discussed
The prosecutor - Joe Allman - is discussing sentencing guidelines in relation to the offences, reports Manchester Evening News.
The maximum sentence for sexual activity with a child is 14 years and the maximum sentence for sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust is five years.
'The most innocent victim is our child'
Boy B's statement continues: "The term ‘victim’ has been used to describe myself and Boy A, but it's bigger than that. It reaches further than us. All our families have been profoundly impacted. They're support never waived; they have been incredibly respectful, including to Rebecca and her family.
"The most innocent victim is our child."
'The grooming started at 15' says Boy B
Boy B's statment continues: "I held many things back, I thought better off dealing with things alone. The gender inequality I have faced is concerning and because of my gender it has been considered less.
"Despite the difference in gender, the mental impact has been the same. It has had a tremendous impact on me.
"I have been told time after time that now I am 18 I have to wait for support. The grooming started at 15, and I have been struggling to find services to support people of my age. There is a lot for young female children. There has been a lot of stigma, fear and shame. I struggled with it due to how it was perceived by others."
'I was coerced, controlled and sexually abused' says Boy B
His statement continues: "I was worried about giving a statement about the woman carrying my child. I was coerced, controlled and sexually abused, it was very upsetting this happened to me and I had little to no support from organisations.
"For months after the abuse it was a very dark time. I felt backed into a corner, I had just lived a double life for 18 months, and it had a massive mental toll on me and my family.
"It tore my family apart, they struggled to come to terms with the fact they brought me to school which was supposed to be a safe environment. My parents broke down every day and night."
Victim statement read out
Boy B's victim statement has been read out in court.
It reads: "I want to make people aware of how the situation impacted my life.
"At the time of the previous statement I was still in love with her, and struggled to come to terms with the abuse, and was in denial.
"Rebecca was in my head that much, I would argue until I was blue in the face protecting her and would not hear a bad word about her. I felt betrayed by someone I loved and felt a large sense of guilt for a long time."
Reporting restrictions placed on victims' names
The judge has once again said that the male victims’ identities are restricted under terms of reporting restrictions for life.
This means that they will remain totally anonymous.
The judge has entered the court
The judge has now come into court.
Joynes has confirmed her identity to the clerk.
Rebecca Joynes is in the dock
Rebecca Joynes has been brought into the dock.
Manchester Evening News reports she is wearing her blonde hair down.
She is wearing a black puffer jacket, black trousers and white trainers.
Rebecca Joynes's relationship with Boy B
The second boy - Boy B - Rebecca Joynes admits to having a relationship with - but only after he turned 16, saying she was suspended at the time and he’d helped her delete all of her phone content in a “factory reset.”
She described the boy as her “best friend”, said they’d go on walks together, message on Snapchat and that she helped him with his mock GCSEs.
The defendant said Boy B made sexualised comments towards her when he was drunk but that she would laugh them off. After he turned 16 she said he sent her a message that said “I’ve left school now” with a winky face emoji. The court heard he went to her apartment after she had been dismissed and during an emotional conversation they had sex.
She called the relationship “toxic” and said the teenager was “controlling” but later found out she was pregnant.
Rebecca Joynes's relationship with Boy A
Rebecca Joynes, of Pensby Road in Thingwall, Wirral, is facing a lengthy jail term for four counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts with sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.
She met the boys - who cannot be named for legal reasons - when she taught them at a Greater Manchester school.
The teacher said that the first boy - known as Boy A - would be “flirtatious” with her and say “you're sexy” as he walked past.
She claimed he nagged her for her phone number during lessons and she gave him most of it - and he guessed the final two digits.
The court also heard that they started messaging each other on Snapchat and that was something that she has to “take accountability” for - and said that accepting his request on the platform was “really stupid”.
It was then a date was set for them to go to the Trafford Centre where she splashed out on a £345 Gucci belt for him from Selfridges. She said: “I shouldn’t have done this, but I just agreed and bought the belt and I should never have done that.”
The teacher claims she offered to take him home but that the boy had refused and she told him to sleep on the sofa. When asked why his DNA had been found on her bedsheets, she said she had left him alone in her apartment after going to work the next morning.
What has Rebecca Joynes been convicted of?
Rebecca Joynes was found guilty of six counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.
The offences concerned two teenage boys she met through her job as a teacher at a Greater Manchester school.
The boys cannot be identified for legal reasons, nor can the school
Court is now assembling
The court is assembling now.
Rebecca Joynes will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court for offences of sexual activity with a child.
Joynes told to be 'under no illusions what is going to happen'
Following her conviction, a judge told Joynes to be "under no illusion" as to what will happen at her sentencing hearing today.
She was granted conditional bail at a previous court hearing.
The judge previously told her: "There is a baby involved here who has done nothing wrong - you must be under no illusions on what is going to happen."
Rebecca Joynes skipped work events and never interacted with colleagues
Rebecca Joynes who slept with two of her pupils reportedly skipped work events and never interacted with colleagues on a “personal level”.
An ex-staff member said: “Rebecca never joined. Even the near-retiring teachers would have had a drink.”
Teacher found guilty of sex with underage pupils says newborn was 'taken 24 hours after birth'
Rebecca Joynes, 30, will be punished today after having sex with two of her pupils - including one who got her pregnant.
She told a court that she barely sees her baby daughter - and revealed to jurors that the baby was taken from her “24 hours after being born”.
Teacher Rebecca Joynes was pictured shopping on final day of freedom
Rebecca Joynes, 30, was spotted shopping at a retail park yesterday.
The teacher is set to be punished today for having sex with two pupils.
Rebecca Joynes is a child abuser - it doesn't matter what she looks like
Teacher Rebecca Joynes is a predator and the response to this story online has been shameful, says Vanessa Feltz.
Who is Rebecca Joynes?
Rebecca Joynes, 30, of Pensby Road in Thingwall, Wirral, is facing a lengthy jail term for four counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts with sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.
Those who knew her best described her as nice, shy, and introverted. She had grown up in a leafy affluent village in the Wirral with her parents, being the eldest of two daughters.
After securing her dream job as a teacher at a Greater Manchester School, she seemed to have the world at her feet. However, beneath the surface, she was hiding a dark secret.
Rebecca arrives at court
Rebecca Joynes, 3, has arrived at Manchester Crown Court ahead of her sentencing.
