PE teacher admits lying to police about contact with 16-year-old pupil

Bronwen James, a 30-year-old physical-education teacher at Bitterne Park School in Southampton, faced four counts of sexual activity with a 16-year-old pupil, which she continues to deny. In court, she admitted to lying to police about the boy’s visits, saying she feared the situation would "blow up" and wanted to appear friendly. James confirmed she once gave the student a lift home but refuted claims of providing a vape or making sexual comments.

She explained her behavior as a desire to be popular and liked by students, citing a previous written warning from Seaford College for inappropriate messaging. Prosecutor Edward Culver questioned why she persisted in contact despite that warning, and the boy alleges they had sex at her house while watching Wimbledon. Police analysis found no Snapchat evidence, but the trial is still in progress.