Paedophile teacher Rebecca Joynes, who has today been sentenced to six and a half years behind bars, had a small taste of freedom after being bailed in May. Here’s how she spent her final weeks on the outside
Rebecca Joynes openly wept in the dock today as she was handed a six-and-a-half-year sentence following a brief taste of freedom.
In May, the paedo teacher was found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child, including two while being a person in a position of trust. Manchester Crown Court heard how Joynes, 30, became pregnant by a 16-year-old pupil, known as Boy B, while already on bail and suspended from her ‘dream’ job following alleged sexual activity with one 15-year-old boy, Boy A.
Joynes was released on bail by a judge following her grave convictions, but the grim reality of what was to come was no doubt playing on her mind at all times. Here, the Mirror looks at Joynes’ last weeks of freedom before being locked up once more…
Time spent with baby
Following her conviction on May 17, Joynes was allowed a brief period of freedom to spend with her baby, who she shares with her second victim, Boy B. Joynes spent much of her pregnancy behind bars in HMP Styal, in Cheshire, where some of the region’s most vulnerable and heavily convicted women are housed. The sex offender gave birth in early 2024, but the baby was taken from her within 24 hours.
During her trial, Joynes had a baby’s bonnet tucked into her trousers, which prosecutor Joe Allman dismissed ‘naked attempt to garner sympathy’. Although she may well have hoped being a mother of a young child would have gone in her favour, Judge Kate Cornell made it clear that. although she would be allowed time to see her child, this shouldn’t distract from the fate that awaited her.
Warning Joynes to expect prison for her offending, Judge Cornell told her: “There’s a baby in this case who has done nothing wrong and is entirely innocent of all wrongdoing, and you will obviously want to see her before the sentence is passed, I do understand that. But you must be under no illusion what’s going to happen on the 4th of July.”
It’s thought Joynes will be able to continue to see her child behind bars, under strictly controlled visits. Rules stipulate prisoners with a child under 18 months old may apply to bring their child to prison with them. However, for those serving sentences of 18 months or more arrangements will usually be made for the child to be cared for elsewhere.
In his victim impact statement, Boy B said that their baby was ‘the most important’ victim, telling the court: “When I think of victims, the most innocent and important is our child. Our baby will grow up without a mother.”
Business as usual for family tearoom
After she was suspended from her teaching position in October 2021, Joynes returned to the safety of the family tearoom Isabelle’s, situated in the leafy Wirral suburb of Heswall. The independent cafe, described as the ‘Number one place in Heswall’ was closed at certain times throughout Joynes’ trial, with the family attaching a polite message of apology to the window.
Yesterday however, as Joynes was preparing for sentencing, Isabelle’s was busy and bustling, with dad Stuart on hand to serve tea and the cafe’s famous scones. The atmosphere was relaxed, and those popping in for a panini or slice of cake may well have been blissfully unaware of the turmoil going on behind the scenes.
Final hours out shopping at retail park
Mere hours before today’s sentencing, Joynes was spotted spending her final day of freedom at a retail park in Chester. Keeping a low profile beneath a baseball cap, Joynes could seen getting into a white car which appeared to be filled with her belongings.
Sentencing
As she arrived at court today, darkly-clothed Joynes carried a Tesco bag filled with possessions and wore her hood up. Devoted dad Stuart, who has been by his daughter’s side every step of the way, could also be seen carrying a packed bag for life while covering Joynes’ face protectively with his hand.
Following today’s sentencing, Judge Kate Cornell told Joynes: “You were a teacher at a Greater Manchester School. You set Boy A a challenge to guess the last two digits of your phone – a ploy to provide him with your number. He guessed and you both exchanged messages a few days before switching to Snapchat. They were not overtly sexual, but clearly suggestive, it must have been absolutely clear to you that it was inappropriate.
“It must have been clear to him that you were interested in him. You arrange to meet him after school. You agreed he could stay the night afterwards. It’s obvious you planned for him to stay, you had discussed it with him and he packed a bag to stay.
“You picked him up and took him to the Trafford Centre, took him to the Gucci concession stand and bought him a belt for £345. There is compelling evidence of flirtatious body language. This is a clear indication of grooming behaviour – I cannot accept this was because you didn’t know how to say no, of course, you intended to buy for him. You have shown an unwilling inability to face up to wrongdoing – this does you no favours Ms Joynes.”
She continued: “You showed breathtaking gall in breaching the bail conditions in this way and you involved Boy B in this deceit. You took steps to conceal this offending, encouraging him to lie to his parents. It is astonishing arrogance that you were keeping the police waiting at your door as you were restoring your phone to factory settings.”
If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com