A teacher’s downfall reached its conclusion today as Rebecca Joynes, 30, was found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a child, along with two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust. The verdict came after a rigorous two-week trial at Manchester Crown Court.
Throughout the trial, Joynes staunchly denied allegations of sexual contact with one of her students, referred to as boy A. She insisted that her relationship with a second teenager, boy B, commenced only after he had left school and she had been terminated from her position, arguing that it wasn’t illegal.
During court proceedings, Joynes notably appeared with a pink baby’s bonnet visibly tucked into her trousers. This detail became a focal point during the trial, with prosecutor Joe Allman labelling it as “a pretty naked attempt to garner sympathy” during his closing speech to the jury.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that both boys engaged in flirty exchanges with Joynes via Snapchat, keeping their interactions concealed from their parents.
Boy A testified that Joynes had taken him shopping and bought him a £350 Gucci belt before they engaged in sexual activity at her flat in Salford Quays. Police later found the teenager’s semen on her bedsheets.
Boy B recounted that sexual activity began when he was 15, progressing to kissing and full intercourse when he turned 16, still a pupil at the time.
In her defence, Joynes admitted to making “stupid mistakes” that led to the ruin of her “dream job.” She cited her vulnerability following the end of a nine-year relationship as a contributing factor, confessing to feeling lonely and flattered by the attention.
The verdict marks the culmination of a disturbing saga that has rocked the educational community and highlighted the importance of safeguarding measures within schools. Joynes now faces the prospect of a significant prison sentence and a lifetime ban from the teaching profession.
As the trial concludes, questions linger about the systemic failures that allowed such abuses of power to occur, emphasizing the imperative for stringent oversight and accountability in educational institutions.
