Spared jail...woman teacher, 33 who groomed pupil for sex at 16
A SCIENCE teacher who had sex with a 16-year-old pupil after she groomed him has been spared jail.
Shannon Parsons slept with the boy at his home while his parents were at work, after they exchanged sexual messages and intimate photographs for months.
The 33-year-old mum, described as “highly regarded” by colleagues, told police she did not love him – the attraction was “purely sexual”.
Parsons sobbed in the dock at Maidstone Crown Court, in Kent, after admitting abuse of a position of trust by causing or inciting sexual activity with a child.
Judge Philip Statman said exceptional circumstances – her good character and remorse, the impact of custody on her daughter and a delay in proceedings – let him impose a sentence of 12 months’ jail suspended for two years.
The sex was consensual, but her behaviour involved “significant planning and an element of grooming”, he added. The relationship was revealed when parents of another pupil at the state secondary in Gravesham, Kent, raised their concerns. No wrongdoing was found in respect of that child.
Parsons, of Welling, South-east London, knew the relationship was wrong and should have ended it, the court heard. She had worked at the school for three years when she slept with the boy once, in 2018.
Vivian Walters, prosecuting, said the boy told police he emailed Parsons, asking her to text him. Ignoring the safeguarding policy, she messaged him on her mobile.
Miss Walters said the chats were initially about school. “She said they exchanged intimate photographs but she said she hadn’t solicited them. She said she thought he was 15. Once he was 16 the conversations started being more about sex,” said MissWalters.
Confessed
“He said she messaged him constantly. They arranged to meet for sex.” The court heard the sex took place one afternoon at home while his parents were out working.
Ms Walters said: “He said that after they had sex he felt awkward. He didn’t talk to her. He told a couple of mates, which was how it got spread around.”
Parsons was arrested, immediately confessed and resigned.
She must complete 40 days of rehabilitation, is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years and must sign on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.
She is barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.