Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that a 6 year sentence is excessive

269 replies

Frenchfancy · 05/03/2021 18:30

And that à man in the same circumstances would never have been given such a sentence.

Obviously she should be punished and never teach again, but 6 years!
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-married-teacher-35-who-23612495

OP posts:
Mittens030869 · 05/03/2021 22:22

If it’s the case that a some male offenders would have a heftier sentence for this kind of crime, then it indicates that those sentences are too lenient, not that this sentence is too heavy.

As a mum myself, I think that kind of crime is completely despicably whether the offender is male or female, that should be irrelevant. Either way it’ll a breach of trust.

Nimala · 05/03/2021 22:22

Not excessive. Other abusers' sentences should be longer.

But, it's not pedophilia, as some posters are claiming, as 15-year-olds are not pre-pubescent and pedophilia specifically refers to sexual attraction to pre-pubescent children.

Nimala · 05/03/2021 22:24

Did I suddenly stop being a child then?

Of course not, but there is specific terminology for adults that are attracted to pubescent or post-pubescent children.

Morgoth · 05/03/2021 22:28

I think this sentence is reasonable. Why should she be let off lightly just because she’s a woman? She committed a disgusting crime and abused a child. A man would have got an equal sentence or more.

LegAndSparkle · 05/03/2021 22:33

Yes 6 seems more than needed for punishment I guess there is a need to mark the particular inappropriateness of the act.

LegAndSparkle · 05/03/2021 22:34

I don't think it's helpful to lump this in with paedophilia

Coronawireless · 05/03/2021 22:40

@LegAndSparkle

I don't think it's helpful to lump this in with paedophilia
Agreed, and I’ll be controversial and say that while a teacher having sex with a pupil is never appropriate, a man having sex with an underage girl is worse than the other way around.
LarryWasAHappyChap · 05/03/2021 22:43

Agreed, and I’ll be controversial and say that while a teacher having sex with a pupil is never appropriate, a man having sex with an underage girl is worse than the other way around

I don't agree at all, but I think you're very brave (or stupid) to post that opinion on here.

DenisetheMenace · 05/03/2021 22:43

YAB extremely U.

Poor kid, he didn’t stand a chance.

LucieStar · 05/03/2021 22:45

@LarryWasAHappyChap

Agreed, and I’ll be controversial and say that while a teacher having sex with a pupil is never appropriate, a man having sex with an underage girl is worse than the other way around

I don't agree at all, but I think you're very brave (or stupid) to post that opinion on here.

I don't agree at all either.

Fembot123 · 05/03/2021 22:53

I don’t agree @Coronawireless, I think an experienced woman can ruin a boy for all his natural exploration and discovery

JustLyra · 05/03/2021 22:54

Agreed, and I’ll be controversial and say that while a teacher having sex with a pupil is never appropriate, a man having sex with an underage girl is worse than the other way around.

That’s not controversial, it’s nonsense.

My sons are no less worthy of protection or vulnerable than my daughters.

Getting into the realms of debating which victims of crime are more worthy is exactly why choice of underwear is seen as evidence by defence lawyers in rape trials.

Emeraldshamrock · 05/03/2021 23:11

I’ll be controversial and say that while a teacher having sex with a pupil is never appropriate, a man having sex with an underage girl is worse than the other way around
Why?
I don't think anyone will agree with you, it is disturbing.

toocold54 · 06/03/2021 00:14

Agreed, and I’ll be controversial and say that while a teacher having sex with a pupil is never appropriate, a man having sex with an underage girl is worse than the other way around.

That is such an outdated view.

It is not the sex of the teacher or student. It is not even just about the age. It is about the profession of the adult and they should have been someone who shouldn’t take advantage of someone who they are supposed to be caring for.

If this abuse happened at home would it make a difference if the child was a boy or girl? What happens if the adult was a male abusing a boy is that ok?

lunarlife · 06/03/2021 00:26

There is something profoundly sexist in the belief that exploiting teenage girls for sex is worse than exploiting boys.

The myth than boys are less damaged by being made to perform sex acts with adults is one reason that boys are more reluctant to admit to having been sexually abused, particularly by women.

There is often an unspoken concept that they really got lucky getting their end away rather than addressing the fact that their opportunity to explore their own sexuality has been stripped from them without them being able to give informed consent.

Both our female and male children deserve protection from predatory and exploitative adults.

Figgyboa · 06/03/2021 03:55

Absolutely not excessive

NovemberR · 06/03/2021 04:06

I don't think it's excessive. I have a 15 year old son and it makes me feel sick to think of him being sexually abused by an adult, 20 years older than him, and in a position of responsibility.

She's utterly disgusting.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 06/03/2021 04:20

Okay So she's not a paedophile and she wasn't charged with rape. I hope people don't think I'm being too nosey but what is the dirty piece of vermin then.
Ive just read an article where her husband said She would demand sex up to 6 times a day. Imagine if that were the other way around.
And YABVU op

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 06/03/2021 04:21

If it were up to me she'd be doing 66 years never mind 6

AnnaFiveTowns · 06/03/2021 04:29

Yes, OP, I think 6 years is excessive and I would think it excessive if it were a male teacher and a 15 year old girl.

JustLyra · 06/03/2021 04:32

What do you think is a suitable sentence for a teacher who grooms, sexually abuses, then threatens and intimidates one of their pupils?

EmmaGrundyForPM · 06/03/2021 04:34

Its not at all excessive. i do agree that often sentences for child abuse are too lenient but that doesn't mean this one is too long.

She pleaded NG which meant that the victim had to give evidence at two full trials. She expressed no remorse. She was in a position of trust which she grossly misused.

Ploughingthrough · 06/03/2021 04:53

Her behaviour is disgusting - she groomed and had sex with a child when she was in a position of responsibility. When you send your child to school it is with the faith that the adults around them are keeping them as safe as possible - this teacher failed in her professional duties (spectacularly) and has caused harm to a child.
This happened when I was a school but the teacher was male. He didn't get us much as six years.
As a teacher, it blows my mind that this happens.

PeggyHill · 06/03/2021 04:56

It's not excessive. She totally abused her position to manipulate a 15 year old into having sex with her. That's awful.

I wouldn't call her a pedophile since a 15 year old isn't really a child anymore in the physical sense, but it was still very clearly abuse. 15 year olds aren't legally adults and can't consent to sex with 35 year olds, and for very good reason. Surely I don't need to explain why.

She got what she deserved and I hope she spends her time inside reflecting on the damage she has done to that boy.

LadyGAgain · 06/03/2021 05:57

Not excessive at all. Appalled at all the evidence that suggests a man would get a lesser sentence.

OP your experience citing 18 months - you should be stating that wasn't enough. Not that this case is excessive.

Adult manipulates/rapes/sexually assaults/grooms child should be a minimum of 10 years.

Swipe left for the next trending thread