Wiltshire Teacher Found Guilty of Sexually Abusing Pupils at Multiple Schools

A former teacher from Wiltshire has been found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy after previously admitting a series of offences involving two teenage girls.

Bronwen James, 30, from Chippenham, pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences involving two teenage girls, one of whom was a pupil at Bitterne Park School in Southampton and the other at Hardenhuish School in Chippenham.

She was then convicted at Winchester Crown Court of three further offences involving a 16-year-old boy who also attended Bitterne Park School.

The jury found James guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust, by a majority of 11 to one. She was acquitted of a fourth charge.

The court heard that the prosecution described James as someone who “craved” attention and had abused the trust placed in her as a teacher.

During the five-day trial, prosecutors said James had developed what was described as a “flirty” relationship with the teenage boy.

The court heard that the pair communicated through Snapchat before having sex at James's home on several occasions.

Prosecutors also told the jury that James had told the boy that she loved him and wanted him to move away with her.

Giving evidence during the trial, the teenager said he believed James cared about him and initially thought the relationship was something positive. He later said he understood that what happened was wrong.

James denied the allegations involving the boy and claimed that he had made them up in an attempt to “look cool”.

Her guilty pleas relating to the two teenage girls had been made in January, but due to legal restrictions surrounding the case, they could not be reported before the jury reached its verdict.

The jury were not told about the guilty pleas until after they had delivered their verdict in relation to the charges involving the teenage boy.

The nine offences involving the two girls include six counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child and one count of making indecent images of a child.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Bethany Adams said James had been trusted with the responsibility of educating and protecting children but instead had used that position to groom and sexually abuse three pupils.

She described the case as a sustained pattern of predatory behaviour and said James had exploited her position of authority.

The NSPCC also said that people in positions of trust have a responsibility to support, protect and educate young people in their care.

A spokesperson for the charity said that when someone in authority abuses a trusted relationship, young people can find it particularly difficult to recognise what is happening or speak about it.

Hardenhuish School said it commended the courage of the young people who came forward to give evidence during the case.

The school said the safety and wellbeing of its pupils would always remain its highest priority.

It added that its safeguarding arrangements are regularly reviewed and that its recruitment procedures follow government guidance.

The school also said it continues to work with Wiltshire Council and other safeguarding partners to ensure high standards of safeguarding are maintained.

Following the verdict, James showed no emotion in court and looked towards the floor as the jury left the courtroom.

The judge ordered James to surrender her passport and she will be electronically monitored until Monday, when she is due to be taken to prison ahead of sentencing.

Her case has involved schools in both Wiltshire and Southampton and highlights the serious consequences when a person in a position of trust abuses their role and the confidence placed in them by pupils and their families.