Teacher jailed for 16 months after affair with pupil
Alice McBrearty, 23, has been jailed for 16 months
A teacher who had a sexual relationship affair with a 15-year-old pupil has been jailed for 16 months.
Alice McBrearty kissed and had sex with the boy at her parents' home, in her car, in the classroom and at an IBIS hotel.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard the 23-year-old from Wanstead in London began a relationship with the student after befriending him on Facebook and Instagram, but was reported to police by his concerned father.
They 'kissed passionately' in the classroom, met up three times at her parents Wanstead home and had sex in her car as well, the court heard.
And as a 'birthday treat' she picked the boy up from his home and took him to a nearby garage for oral sex.
Lisa Matthews, prosecuting, said they became 'besotted' with each other and the teacher had convinced herself the relationship was a 'great romance.'
Several members of staff raised concerns and repeatedly warned her that she was getting to close the pupil but the affair continued.
As she jailed McBrearty, who now delivers parcels for Amazon, Judge Sheelagh Canavan told her the case was a 'spectacular fall from grace'.
Alice McBrearty, 23, kissed and had sex with the boy at her parents' home, in her car, in the classroom and in an IBIS hotel
The court heard McBrearty took the boy to an IBIS hotel where she told him to wait outside, before going in to book a room and calling him to tell him which room to come into.
McBrearty and the teenager 'kissed passionately' in the classroom
The relationship unravelled after the boy's father went to police on May 8, afraid that McBrearty was grooming his son after seeing calls between the pair.
The boy was interviewed by police with social services, where he admitted the affair.
The court heard the relationship began in January, when McBrearty followed the boy on social media and asked for his phone number.
The teacher wept throughout the hearing.
The prosecutor said: 'He felt special and accepted it. She took him out to Olympic Park, they went for strolls and out for meals.
'The got close and appeared to be besotted with each other, they spoke about the future.
'The first sexual encounter took place at her home address in February half term.'
Emma Shafton, defending, said McBrearty was demoralised after being 'thrown in at the deep end' teaching subjects with little experience having just completed a Teach First programme.
Ms Shafton said: 'She detested her job, and that is why instead of socialising with her colleagues she socialised with students in the classroom.'
The teacher is now working delivering Amazon parcels.
Ms Shafton added: 'She is a from a hard working family, and has a university degree.
'She was low at the time. She detested her job. She has since resigned as a teacher.
'The only work she has managed to find is delivering parcels for Amazon.'
The court heard the relationship began in January, when McBrearty followed the boy on social media and asked for his phone number.
She told her: 'Children are the future. In order to equip them for that we as a civilisation we provide them with the skills required.
'We entrust teachers with our children. You convinced yourself this was a great romance, and equal in love, that is patently not true.
'He was precisely at the age when he was at the mercy of his hormones.
'There were concerns raised about having boys in the classroom, and you were given further guidance and training.
The teacher was jailed for 16 months at Snaresbrook Crown Court after having an affair with a pupil
'You met up at home, a hotel a car and at the school itself. You engaged in a full blown sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student.
'You were supposed to keep him safe and help him make the right decisions. Instead you helped him make the wrong ones. You knew better and you did it anyway.
'You breached the trust between student and teacher to satisfy your physical and emotional needs. This was the grossest breach of trust over a period of months.
'This offence is so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence will do.'
McBrearty was sentenced to 16 months in jail for seven counts of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust.