EMILY FOX SHOCKS BATH AND RICKMANSWORTH WITH SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH 15-YEAR-OLD PUPIL

In September 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving Emily Fox, a teacher at the prestigious Royal Masonic School for Girls located in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Fox, aged 26 and originally from Bath, was sentenced to 15 months in prison after admitting to engaging in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student. The relationship, which was conducted in secret, involved numerous exchanges of explicit messages and physical contact, and it has sent shockwaves through the local communities of Bath and Rickmansworth.

According to court proceedings, Fox and her young pupil first developed a friendship in November 2012. Over time, this friendship deepened, and by Easter 2013, it had evolved into an intense and inappropriate bond. The court heard that their interactions included kissing and sexual touching, with the girl expressing her feelings by telling Fox she loved her “as a friend,” a phrase that belied the true nature of their relationship.

The relationship was ultimately uncovered in August 2014 when a printed email, which was inadvertently printed and seen by the victim’s parents, revealed the extent of their communication. The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, initially denied any inappropriate contact when questioned by police but later disclosed the full details during a subsequent interview. Investigators found an overwhelming amount of evidence, including hundreds of WhatsApp messages containing sexually explicit content exchanged between Fox and the girl, dating back to July 2013.

The court was informed that the relationship involved various forms of sexual activity, including kissing, touching of the girl’s breasts, and digital penetration, with Fox admitting to four counts of sexual activity with a minor while in a position of trust. The charges included “touching by kissing,” “intentional touching of the child’s breasts,” and “digital penetration,” with each act occurring over a period of three to four months.

During the sentencing hearing at St. Albans Crown Court, Judge Stephen Gullick acknowledged Fox’s qualities as a “gifted and well-loved” teacher but emphasized that she was fully aware that her actions were both morally and legally wrong. The judge described her behavior as “extremely grave,” especially considering her role as an educator entrusted with the safety and well-being of her students. Fox’s reputation was described as “in tatters,” and the court recognized that her incarceration would be a difficult but necessary consequence.

Judge Gullick sentenced Fox to concurrent terms: one month for the initial kissing, six months for touching her student’s breasts, and 15 months each for the acts of digital penetration. The court made it clear that such misconduct by teachers towards pupils is a matter of utmost seriousness and must be condemned.

Prosecutor Sally Mealing-McLeod detailed how the relationship began as a friendship but quickly became more intimate after Easter 2013. She explained that the victim expressed her affection for Fox, which marked the turning point into a more sexualized relationship. The discovery of the email and subsequent messages revealed an attempt by Fox and her pupil to conceal their interactions, including discussions about how to hide their relationship from others.

Fox, who had been employed at the school since 2010, was arrested in September 2013 after voluntarily attending a police station. Her defense lawyer, Dee Connelly, highlighted her remorse and the fact that she had shown “a degree of bravery” in admitting her guilt. Connelly also noted Fox’s troubled past, including a suicide attempt in 2011 and depression following her parents’ move to America. She urged the court to consider the relatively small age gap between Fox and her victim and the genuine concern Fox had expressed for the girl’s well-being.

The Royal Masonic School for Girls, founded in 1788 to educate the daughters of Freemasons, charges up to £25,000 annually for tuition. The school moved to its current site in Rickmansworth in 1934 and offers both day and boarding options for its students.

In August 2014, Fox admitted to the charges in court and was ordered to be added to the sex offenders register. She is currently barred from attending the school or having any contact with individuals under 16. Her sentencing is scheduled for September 5, and she remains under strict legal restrictions as her case continues to unfold, leaving a lasting stain on her career and reputation.