Bronwen James, 30, has been found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a 16-year-old boy
A “flirty” PE teacher has been found guilty of having sex with a 16-year-old schoolboy.
Bronwen James, 30, was convicted of three counts of sexual activity involving the schoolboy at Bitterne Park School in Southampton following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.
After 12 hours of deliberations, jurors also cleared James on one count of sexual activity with the pupil. James remained expressionless throughout, her gaze fixed downwards as the verdicts were delivered.
It can now also be revealed that the defendant faces sentencing having previously entered guilty pleas to charges relating to two schoolgirls.
These comprise four counts of engaging in sexual activity and one count of sexual communication with the first girl, and two charges of sexual activity, one count of sexual communication and making an indecent photograph of a child relating to the second girl.
The trial heard how the former teacher flirted with the 16-year-old pupil during lessons before the pair began exchanging Snapchat messages, subsequently arranging for her to drive him to Weston Shore in Southampton, where they kissed inside her vehicle.
The relationship then escalated to visits at the defendant’s home, where they cuddled while watching Wimbledon on television before having sex in her bedroom.
Edward Culver, prosecuting, told the trial that the school became aware of the incident after a fellow pupil showed a teacher text messages allegedly exchanged between the defendant and the complainant.
He said: “They suggested a sexually-charged relationship, he was named as ‘number 8’ in the messages as a cover, him being the eighth man she had slept with. Her photo was visible on the phone screen.”
Mr Culver said: “She acted not only in an unprofessional and overfamiliar way, but failed to recognise any boundaries, exploiting her position to engage in sexual activity with one of her young students.”
During a police interview presented to the court, the boy stated he had been “groomed” by the defendant.
He added: “I thought this was great, any teenage boy’s dream, but I think it was wrong, at the time I wasn’t thinking that.”
The boy further revealed that during lessons, James, whom he described as “quite attractive”, would “slip him vapes” inside his coursework, and that she preferred him to address her as “Miss” during their private encounters.
He said: “I always called her ‘Miss’, I don’t know why, I think it was her little fantasy or something.”
Wiltshire Police previously confirmed that James, from Chippenham, Wiltshire, taught PE at both Hardenhuish School in Chippenham and Bitterne Park School in Southampton.
Bethany Adams, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Bronwen James was trusted to educate and protect children. Instead, she used that trust to groom and sexually abuse three students.
“James manipulated her victims with calculated precision, exploiting her position of authority to isolate them and normalise the abuse.
“This was not a lapse in judgment; it was a sustained pattern of predatory behaviour against children in her care. The courage shown by James’s victims in coming forward has been instrumental in securing this conviction.
“I hope it gives them, and their families, some measure of justice.”
James is due to return to Winchester Crown Court on Monday, where a sentencing date will be set, and will be remanded in custody in the meantime.
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