Former PE Teacher Found Guilty Of Sexual Activity With 16-Year-Old Pupil

A former PE teacher, Bronwen James has been found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a 16-year-old pupil while working at Bitterne Park School in Southampton, Hampshire.

James, 30, was convicted following a trial at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday, September 10.

The jury found her not guilty of a fourth count of sexual activity with the pupil after a five-day trial.

According to reports from the court, James and the pupil developed what prosecutors described as a sexually charged relationship after she allegedly flirted with him and they began exchanging messages on Snapchat.

The court heard that James later drove the boy to Weston Shore in Southampton, where they kissed in her car.

The pair subsequently went to James' home, where they watched television before going to her bedroom, where they had sex.

During the trial, prosecutor Edward Culver told the court that another pupil had shown a teacher messages allegedly exchanged between James and the boy.

He said the messages suggested a sexually charged relationship and that the boy was allegedly saved or referred to as “Number 8” as a way of concealing his identity.

The boy later told police that although he initially viewed the relationship differently, he had come to believe that he had been groomed by his teacher.

He also told investigators that James allegedly slipped vapes into his coursework and liked him to call her “Miss” when they were alone.

It can now also be reported that James had previously pleaded guilty to several other sexual offences involving two schoolgirls.

According to court, she admitted to four counts of sexual activity and one count of sexual communication involving one of the girls.

She also pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity, one count of sexual communication and one count of making an indecent photograph of a child involving another schoolgirl.

Reports from the trial showed that the offences involved a wider pattern of inappropriate relationships with pupils, including private messaging and meetings outside school.

Bethany Adams of the Crown Prosecution Service said James had exploited her position of authority.

She said: "James manipulated her victims with calculated precision, exploiting her position of authority to isolate them and normalise the abuse. Added that the case was not simply a lapse in judgment but involved a sustained pattern of behaviour against children in her care."

James was released on conditional bail following the verdict. She is expected to return to court for sentencing proceedings, according to reports.