The teacher would message the student on Instagram, Snapchat and Google Docs. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
WARNING: This story includes details that some readers could find disturbing
The sentencing has been adjourned for an Auckland primary school teacher who pleaded guilty to sexually grooming an 11-year-old student and performing an indecent act on him.
The woman, who has name suppression, admitted last year to sending nude photographs of herself to the student, as well as sleeping in his bed with him.
The student and teacher were at the same school, though the student was not in her class.
Court documents reveal the teacher sent multiple photos of herself where she was partially or fully nude to the student using Snapchat.
Every time a picture was sent, the woman would tell the student "don't tell anyone, this is just for you."
She would message the student on Instagram, Snapchat and Google Docs, urging the boy to ask her out.
"If you ask me out, I'll say yes," court documents reveal she said.
"We would make a good a couple."
Court documents show the student did ask the teacher out, and they started "dating".
She told the boy through Snapchat and Google Docs she loved him.
On one occasion, the woman kissed the boy on his lips while the pair were wrestling.
The pair would go for walks in the park, with the teacher holding his hand as they did.
She was being sentenced in the North Shore District Court on Wednesday afternoon.
The maximum penalty for grooming for sexual conduct with a young person is three years in prison, while an indecent act on a boy under 12 carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
In court, the teacher entered the dock heavily sobbing.
Her lawyer Graeme Newell sought an adjournment that was granted by Judge Paul Murray.
She was remanded on bail and is expected to reappear in July.
Members of the victim's family and the school community were present in court on Wednesday.
Where to get help:
- Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
- Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202.
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666.
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
- What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds.
- Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
- Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254.
- Healthline: 0800 611 116.
- Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155.
- OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
Sexual Violence
- NZ Police.
- Victim Support 0800 842 846.
- Rape Crisis: 0800 88 33 00.
- Rape Prevention Education.
- Empowerment Trust.
- HELP (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655.
- Safe to talk: 0800 044 334.
- Tautoko Tāne Male Survivors Aotearoa.
- Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) 022 344 0496.
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