HAYLEY SOUTHWELL FROM MARYPORT AND WIGTON INVOLVED IN SEXUAL OFFENSES AT CUMBRIAN SCHOOLS

In August 2014, a female teacher from West Cumbria, specifically from Wigton, was spared immediate imprisonment after admitting to engaging in sexual activities with a schoolgirl. Hayley Southwell, aged 27 at the time, acknowledged her involvement in a sexual relationship with a girl under the age of 16, while she was in a position of trust and authority as an educator.

During the court proceedings, Judge Peter Hughes sentenced Southwell to a 12-month prison term, but this sentence was suspended for a period of two years. The judge emphasized the severity of her actions, stating that Southwell had effectively 'destroyed her career' through her misconduct. Additionally, she was ordered to register as a sex offender for a decade, a measure that underscores the gravity of her breach of trust and the potential risk she posed to the community.

Isla Chilton, the senior crown prosecutor overseeing cases in the North West region, commented on the case, highlighting the breach of trust inherent in Southwell’s role as a teacher. Chilton stated, 'As a teacher, Hayley Southwell was in a position of trust. She abused that trust and was fully aware that she was committing an offence in starting a relationship with the victim, and continuing that relationship.'

The court in Carlisle heard that the misconduct occurred over a span from May 2013 to January 2014. The case drew significant attention due to the nature of the allegations and the position Southwell held within the community.

Earlier in July 2014, Southwell, then 27, appeared in court to admit to sexual activity with a girl. She was residing near Maryport, specifically in Birkby, and her case involved allegations of sexual touching and a relationship with a minor. During her appearance, she pleaded guilty to the charges, which related to incidents that took place between May 1 of the previous year and January 17 of the current year.

Judge Robert Brown, presiding over the case, decided to adjourn proceedings to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. He informed Southwell that she would need to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register at her local police station and made it clear that all sentencing options remained open at that stage.

Back in June 2014, Southwell faced allegations of having a sexual relationship with a schoolgirl, which was described as involving intentional sexual touching. The court heard that she was accused of engaging in a relationship with the girl, who was only 15 at the time, starting when she was 26 years old. The court proceedings revealed that Southwell was a teacher at the time and that the alleged misconduct occurred over a period from May 1, 2013, to January 17, 2014.

Prosecutor John Moran informed the magistrates in Carlisle that Southwell, of Wigton, Cumbria, was accused of having been in a sexual relationship with the minor, which was considered a serious offence. The case was initially brought before magistrates, but District Judge Gerald Chalk declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case was of sufficient gravity to be heard at Carlisle Crown Court. Southwell, who only confirmed her name and address during the hearing, was scheduled to appear at the Crown Court on June 23. She did not enter a plea at that time, leaving the case pending further legal proceedings.