Ex-teacher Bronwen James guilty of sex with 16-year-old pupil

Bronwen James, a 30-year-old former PE teacher, has been convicted of three counts of sexual activity with a 16-year-old pupil at Bitterne Park School in Southampton. The conviction follows a trial at Winchester Crown Court, where jurors deliberated for 12 hours before reaching their verdict. Jurors found James not guilty on one count.

Previous Guilty Pleas

It can now be reported that James had previously pleaded guilty to additional charges concerning two other schoolgirls. These include four counts of engaging in sexual activity and one count of sexual communication with the first girl. For the second girl, James pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual activity, one count of sexual communication, and making an indecent photograph of a child.

Trial Details

During the trial, the court heard that James, who taught PE at Hardenhuish School in Chippenham and Bitterne Park School, engaged in a "flirty" relationship with the 16-year-old student. This included exchanging messages on Snapchat and arranging to meet him. The prosecution, represented by Edward Culver, stated that the relationship progressed to James's home, where they watched Wimbledon on television before going to her bedroom. The school became aware of the situation after another student reported text messages that suggested a "sexually-charged relationship." The pupil, who described James as "quite attractive," told the court he felt he had been "groomed" and that while he initially thought the situation was desirable for a teenage boy, he later realised it was wrong.

Bethany Adams of the Crown Prosecution Service stated that James "exploited her position of authority to isolate them and normalise the abuse." Adams added, "This was not a lapse in judgment; it was a sustained pattern of predatory behaviour against children in her care."

Sentencing

Bronwen James is due to appear at Winchester Crown Court on Monday for her sentencing date to be set. She has been remanded into custody.