A 29-year-old physical education teacher, Bronwen James, has appeared in court facing serious charges involving multiple sexual offences against three minors. The alleged incidents span a period of three years and involve two girls and one boy, all aged between 14 and 16.
James, who taught at Hardenhuish School in Chippenham and Bitterne Park School in Southampton, entered Salisbury Magistrates Court on July 9, 2025, dressed in a beige waistcoat and trousers. During the hearing, she confirmed her name, age, and address, as well as her bail conditions but did not provide further statements.
The charges against her are extensive, comprising a total of 13 offences. These include three counts of penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, three counts of non-penetrative sexual activity, and two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child. Additionally, she faces one count of making an indecent image of a child and four counts of abusing her position of trust by engaging in sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 17. The alleged offences occurred in locations including Titchfield, Fareham, Chippenham, and Alton.
During the proceedings, the court heard disturbing details regarding the nature of the alleged offences. The accusations include acts of penetration involving fingers, oral sex, and inappropriate touching of the minors. Chief Magistrate Stephen Harrison confirmed that the three counts of penetrative sexual activity can only be dealt with at the Crown Court, indicating the seriousness of the charges.
James is scheduled for a plea and trial preparation hearing on August 7, 2025, at Salisbury Crown Court. Until that date, she has been granted conditional bail, with strict conditions prohibiting her from having any direct or indirect contact with the three alleged victims. Furthermore, she is forbidden from having unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 16.
As this case progresses, it highlights the critical issues surrounding the protection of minors and the responsibilities held by educators. The court’s decision to elevate the case to Crown Court underscores the gravity of the allegations against James. The community will be closely observing the developments in this significant legal matter.
