A 30-year-old former PE teacher allegedly had sex with a 16-year-old pupil at her home while they watched Wimbledon and allegedly asked him to call her 'Miss' when they were alone, a court has heard.
Bronwen James is accused of exploiting her position as a teacher after allegedly developing a flirtatious relationship with the boy through Snapchat. She is facing four counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.
James was teaching PE at Bitterne Park School in Southampton when the alleged offences took place. Prosecutor Edward Culver told Winchester Crown Court that the relationship began after the pupil sought to add James on Snapchat.
The court heard that James initially refused but later accepted his request, with their messages allegedly becoming flirtatious. The court also heard that they allegedly later met at Weston Shore, where they allegedly kissed in a car.
Day 1 of summer school ✅ can’t wait for the rest of the week! pic.twitter.com/f2pMwMWcHz
Prosecutors also allege James later picked the teenager up and took him to her home. The court heard they watched Wimbledon on television before kissing and touching each other, followed by sex.
Jurors were told the pair allegedly had sex four times without protection and continued messaging each other daily. The teenager reportedly said he believed the relationship was 'great' at the time but later described what happened as grooming.
The court also heard James allegedly told the boy she 'loved him' and 'wanted to move away' with him. He claimed she preferred him to call her 'Miss' during their private encounters.
Prosecutor Culver told jurors: 'This is a case about a teacher who exploited her position as a teacher to engage in sexual activity with one of her students.'
'She flirted with him. Exchanged messages with him. Took him to her home. And she had sex with him.'
The alleged relationship came to the attention of school staff after another student showed a teacher messages between James and the boy, the prosecution said.
Prosecutor Culver told jurors that the boy appeared under the name 'Number 8' in messages as a cover. The name allegedly referred to the eighth man or boy James had slept with. Her photo was also said to have been visible on the phone.
James was later interviewed under caution and denied having a sexual relationship with the 16-year-old.
According to the prosecution, she said she had received communication from an unknown number, which turned out to be the boy, and suggested another student was putting him up to the allegations.
James, from Chippenham, Wiltshire, denies four counts of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust. Wiltshire Police confirmed on 1 September that the allegations concern a 16-year-old pupil at Bitterne Park School during James' employment there.
