Teacher who sexually abused pupil jailed for two years

A teacher who sexually abused a teenage pupil has been jailed for two years and been placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Judith Evans, 33, of Elmwood Grove in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, admitted grooming and having sexual intercourse with a schoolboy.

She was a teacher at Belfast Boys' Model School when the offences occurred.

Speaking after the hearing at Belfast Crown Court on Friday, a senior police officer described Evans as a "cold, calculating child predator".

Evans, a mother of two, was sentenced to a total of four years - half of which will be served in custody and half on licence.

She admitted charges, including sexual communication with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, sexual activity with a child involving penetration and possessing indecent images of the schoolboy.

The offences were committed between 1 March and 17 May 2024.

Evans also admitted a charge of perverting the course of justice between 13 and 27 June 2024, by making a false allegation that she was sexually assaulted by the teenager.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Belfast Boys' Model School said they "recognise what a difficult and distressing time this has been for the young person".

"We fully understand the impact this has caused throughout the wider school community and would reassure all pupils and staff that the protection, safety and wellbeing of our pupils continues to be our highest priority."

The spokesperson added that the school has "robust safeguarding processes".

Det Ch Insp Jill Duffie of the Police Service of Northern Ireland described Evans as a "cold, calculating child predator who abused her position of trust by taking advantage of a young boy".

"She preyed on his vulnerabilities and built an inappropriate 'friendship' with the boy before then further grooming him and sexually exploiting him.

"The messages exchanged between her and her underage pupil were highly sexual and nothing short of sickening.

"As a result of the abuse he was subjected to, the victim has suffered greatly with mental health struggles and has shown immense bravery to bring her to justice today."

The senior officer said there was "still a societal stigma surrounding male victims of abuse" and she encouraged anyone who had been abused in a similar way to contact police.