A teenage boy who was abused by a paedophile teacher has spoken of his heartbreak not only for himself, but his family and the baby he had with her.
Rebecca Joynes' victim, known only as Boy B, fathered her child. During her sentencing hearing today, his victim impact statement was read to court which spoke of the "dark times" he faced and the "mental impact" the abuse had on him. He told Judge Kate Cornell he felt backed into a corner and was forced to live a double life for 18 months, adding that his trauma had a massive mental toll on his parents too.
Joynes, 30, wept in the dock at Manchester Crown Court as she was sentenced to six-and-a-half years with a judge telling her she had "abused trust" and exploited her role "for your sexual gratification". Joynes was found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child, two of which while in a position of trust.
The teacher was already suspended from her high school job and on bail for alleged sexual activity with one 15-year-old boy ( Boy A) when she took the virginity of Boy B. His statement, read to the judge by the prosecutor Joe Allman, said: "One of the hardest things to deal with was not being able to be involved in the pregnancy. The thought of not being able to see my child is heartbreaking.
"When she was released on bail in November, I really struggled and wondered how my abuser could be walking free. I had a panic attack seeing the news, I’d never had a panic attack before. I struggled to understand how she takes no responsibility. It has brought a lot of questions from other people as well, and I get a lot of attention being a young dad. I avoid or deflect questions, I’m not ready to be open and willing with people.
"I now also really struggle with the idea of going into another relationship, due to the negative experience I have gone through with Rebecca. Rebecca was my first sexual relationship, she took advantage of this. I will be forever linked to her."
The statement also said: "I want to make people aware of how the situation impacted my life. At the time of the previous statement I was still in love with her, and struggled to come to terms with the abuse, and was in denial. Rebecca was in my head that much, I would argue until I was blue in the face protecting her and would not hear a bad word about her. I felt betrayed by someone I loved and felt a large sense of guilt for a long time.
"I was worried about giving a statement about the woman carrying my child. I was coerced, controlled and sexually abused, it was very upsetting this happened to me and I had little to no support from organisations. For months after the abuse it was a very dark time. I felt backed into a corner, I had just lived a double life for 18 months, and it had a massive mental toll on me and my family.
"It tore my family apart, they struggled to come to terms with the fact they brought me to school which was supposed to be a safe environment. My parents broke down every day and night. I held many things back, I thought better off dealing with things alone. The gender inequality I have faced is concerning and because of my gender it has been considered less. Despite the difference in gender, the mental impact has been the same. It has had a tremendous impact on me.
"I have been told time after time that now I am 18 I have to wait for support. The grooming started at 15, and I have been struggling to find services to support people of my age. There is a lot for young female children. There has been a lot of stigma, fear and shame. I struggled with it due to how it was perceived by others."
He added: "The term ‘victim’ has been used to describe myself and Boy A, but it's bigger than that. It reaches further than us. All our families have been profoundly impacted. They're support never waived; they have been incredibly respectful, including to Rebecca and her family.
"The most innocent victim is our child, and I’ve come to realise how important my role is in ensuring they are supported by love. I understand the difficulty and impact this will have on my child. They will not have their mum present, and this will leave them with questions. I have no doubt I will have to deal with the questions that come.
"This is not what I wanted when I picture having children with someone I loved, the way I have been brought up, sadly this is not the case."