Former PE teacher appears in court over string of child sex charges

A former PE teacher has appeared in court accused of a string of child sex offences.

Bronwen James, 29, faces 13 charges relating to three different children and appeared before Salisbury Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday).

The defendant, who previously taught at Hardenhuish School in Chippenham and Bitterne Park School in Southampton, is accused of three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity and three counts of non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15.

She faces further charges of two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child under 16, one count of making an indecent photograph of a child.

Other allegations include four counts of adult abuse of position of trust involving sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 17.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place over a three year period.

During the brief hearing at Salisbury Magistrates Court, James, dressed in a cream top and matching trousers along with sandals, spoke only to confirm her personal details and repeat her bail conditions back to the court.

James, of Lytham Close, Chippenham, appeared sullen in the dock, keeping her head down throughout.

The case has been sent to Sailsbury Crown Court for a further hearing next month.

Siobhan Oxley, prosecuting, told the court: “All the charges are intrinsically linked and they should all therefore go to the Crown Court to be told at the Crown Court.”

Magistrates chair Stephen Harrison granted James conditional bail ahead of her next court appearance.

He told her: “Your two conditions are as follows. You are not to have direct or indirect contact with the three complainants in this matter.

“And the second condition is that you are not to have any contact with children or any young person under the age of 16. Do you understand those conditions? Repeat them back to me.”

The defendant repeated the bail conditions back to the court.

James is due to appear at Salisbury Crown Court on Thursday 7 August at 10am.