Former PE teacher Bronwen James, 30, who was described as a ‘predator’, is facing jail after being found guilty of a string of child sex offences
Fresh images have emerged of female paedophile teacher Bronwen James dressed in full football gear to promote England’s Euros bid a decade ago.
The former PE teacher, 30, who is back in court today (September 14) to be remanded in custody ahead of sentencing, is facing jail after being found guilty of a string of child sex offences.
Pictures have now emerged of James, smiling in full England gear and holding up a football alongside colleagues, at Chippenham Sports Direct in 2016. It is understood James was promoting sales in the store of goods ahead of England’s ill-feted campaign when the Three Lions were embarrassed by defeat against Iceland.
James, who was herself a teenager at the time, worked at the store before becoming a teacher. The defendant, from Chippenham, Wilts., was found guilty of sexual offences against a 16-year-old boy who was a pupil at the school where she taught.
The jury sitting at Winchester Crown Court found her guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust, by a majority verdict. Jurors found her not guilty on one count of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.
The offences were carried out against a 16-year-old boy who was attending Bitterne Park School in Southampton during the time she was employed as a PE teacher.
James had denied having sex or exchanging flirtatious messages with the teenage boy. At an earlier hearing in January, James admitted sexual offences against a female pupil at Bitterne Park School, who was 13 when inappropriate communications began and 14 at the time of the sexual activity. These being four counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual communication with a child.
She also admitted sexual offences against a girl at a school in Chippenham, who was also 13 when inappropriate communications began, and 14 at the time of the sexual activity. James pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child, one count of sexual communication with a child and one of making indecent images of a child.
Speaking after the trial, Detective Investigator Francesca Mason, of Wiltshire Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team said: “Bronwen James was employed as a teacher at a number of schools. This was a role in which she held a position of trust. The children under her supervision had every right to look to her for support and guidance.
“However, the jury sitting at Winchester Crown Court today heard how Bronwen James betrayed the trust placed in her by cynically manipulating these children. She encouraged them to engage in sexual activity for her own selfish gratification.
“This is someone who they had looked up to as a mentor and role model – tragically nothing could have been further from the truth, she is a sexual predator. The survivors of this abuse will have to live with the impact of Bronwen James’ actions which took place at a pivotal time in their emotional development.
“I would like to place on record my thanks to each of them for their bravery in reporting these offences and their forbearance in awaiting the justice they deserve.” James was bailed to appear before court where she will be remanded in custody and a sentencing date will be set.