Drama teacher cleared of seducing teenage pupil
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A DRAMA TEACHER was cleared yesterday of indecently assaulting a 15-year-old pupil who claimed she seduced him on a school field trip.
Renate Williams, 32, a newly qualified teacher, was alleged to have given the schoolboy lessons in love after swimming naked during a midnight walk along a beach in Wales in November last year. The jury of seven men and five women at Worcester Crown Court acquitted her after deliberating for just over an hour.
She was also acquitted - on the instruction of Judge Ian Morris - of a second charge of indecently assaulting the boy.
The court was told that Ms Williams, of Poole, Dorset, became the victim of a "schoolboy conspiracy" when she refused pupils' requests for sex and drugs. She was allegedly propositioned and sexually harassed by pupils at the Worcestershire boarding school. The court was told that boys at the school fantasised about teachers and even placed bets on who would be the first to get them into bed.
Ms Williams told police she believed the boy who made the false accusations had been "put up" to it by another pupil, whom she described as the ringleader. "He had power and influence over the others in that year group and that scared me," Ms Williams told police. "He was very manipulative."
Ms Williams was suspended from her job after the allegations were made. The school governors yesterday "noted" that she had been cleared.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments