Former high school teacher jailed for child sexual offences against pupils

A former teacher has been jailed for sexual offences against two pupils at the school where she worked.

Rebecca Joynes, 30, who taught at a Manchester high school, claimed there was no sexual contact between her and the first schoolboy and claimed sexual contact did not take place with the second boy until he was 16 and after she had been dismissed from her job.

However, a jury found her guilty of six sexual offences against the two boys following a nine-day trial at Manchester Crown Court in May.

Today, she was jailed for six and a half years. She was also made subject to notification requirements as a registered sex offender for life, Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years, plus a restraining order in relation to both boys.

Jane Wilson, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "Rebecca Joynes was in a position of trust as a high school teacher.

"She abused her position to groom and exploit two schoolboys in the worst way, with no thought for the lasting impact it would have on them.

"Every parent sends their children to school expecting them to be safeguarded and taken care of; Joynes's actions have eroded that trust.

"I would like to thank the victims for supporting the prosecution. I hope they can start to move forward knowing Joynes has been held accountable for her actions."

Joynes gave one of the boys she taught most of the digits of her phone number and he guessed the rest.

When he began contacting her, Joynes reciprocated and on 5 October 2021 she arranged for the 15-year-old boy to stay overnight at her home.

She took him to the Trafford Centre where she bought him a £345 belt. They then returned to her flat and engaged in sexual intercourse.

When she was arrested, she made no comment in her police interview. She was then charged with sexual activity with a child and suspended from her teaching job.

Whilst suspended and on bail in respect of those offences, a second 15-year-old boy was targeted by Joynes. The pair engaged in a sexual relationship, which only ended when Joynes was arrested.