Convicted sex predator teacher Rebecca Joynes – aged 30-years-old, was found guilty of having sex with two pupils in May and has today been sentence to six and a half years at Manchester Crown Court for her crimes against the two teenage boys – one of whom she became pregnant with his child.
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 was unanimously found guilty by jurors.
The former teacher had lived at an address on Salford Quays whilst working in an unnamed school within Greater Manchester at the time of her arrest.
Both boys cannot be named for legal reasons as they were aged just 15-years-old at the time.
Joynes was sentenced to this afternoon (Thursday 4th July) at Manchester Crown Court.
As Joynes could be seen visible crying from in the dock, Judge Cornell made her sentencing remarks to the court:
“Rebecca Joynes, you are here to be sentenced for four counts of sexual act with a child and two counts of sexual activity with a child whilst in a position of trust.”
The judge, continued:
“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.
“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.
“You lied from that moment on,
“The sexual relationship you began illegally went on for 18 months in total. It was technically legal after he turned 18 but was in breach of bail.”
“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,
“‘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,
“They did not have self control or life experience to step back.”
Speaking about Boy B, the judge said:
“Boy B felt you were deceiving, now he is an adult, he sees that,” she continued.
“You were the adult, the one in control and should have known better. You were trusted by the school, the boys and the parents, for caring and protecting their sons. You abused that trust and exploited that role for your sexual gratification.
“It is inconceivable you did not realise that too. You deliberately transgressed them and encouraged boys to breach that too. You turned a blind eye.
“Children of 15 do not always know what is best and do not always do what is best. Adults in their lives in positions of trust are expected to enforce boundaries, sometimes for themselves, when they do not appreciate the consequences of their actions.
“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.”
The judge told Joynes that the relationship with boy B was a ‘Gross breach of trust’ and a ‘significant degree of planning’ of grooming behaviour’.
“All the things he would have done have been altered – truly and forever a life changing event. It is something he will never get away from.”
Joynes was handed a six and a half year sentence, stating:
“There is no reduction for a guilty plea as there was no guilty plea.”
Additionally she was made subject of a restraining order from both boys and has to sign the sex offenders register for life.
As the case concluded, Joynes could be heard crying as guards led her from the dock to an holding cell before she will be transported to an awaiting prison cell.
