JACQUELINE MARKS FROM STEVENAGE ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEX WITH 16-YEAR-OLD BOY IN WELWYN GARDEN CITY

In a case that has shocked the local community, Jacqueline Marks, a 33-year-old mathematics teacher from Stevenage, was found guilty of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old male student. The misconduct took place both at her marital home and within her vehicle, raising serious concerns about trust and professional boundaries in the educational environment.

Marks, who served as the head of mathematics at a secondary school in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, maintained the relationship for nearly two months before it was ultimately exposed. The relationship was initiated in May, with the teacher feeling flattered by the attention from her pupil, which led to a series of increasingly intimate encounters. These included cuddles, kisses, oral sex, and full sexual intercourse, which occurred at her home and in her car on four separate occasions.

Her involvement with the student continued until she decided to end it as the boy approached his GCSE exams, believing that her secret was safe. However, the truth came to light on June 23 when the boy’s former girlfriend discovered explicit messages on his iPad. Although Marks was not directly named in the messages, the girl was able to deduce her identity and showed the messages to her mother. This led to immediate action from the school authorities and law enforcement.

Following the discovery, both the school and police were contacted. Marks was arrested and initially refused to answer questions but later provided a full confession during a subsequent interview. Investigations revealed that she had been visiting websites related to inappropriate relationships between teachers and pupils, further implicating her in the misconduct.

At Cambridge Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Howarth addressed the seriousness of the case, stating that Marks “richly deserved to go to prison” for her breach of trust. Despite this, he sentenced her to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, citing her husband's serious health condition as a mitigating factor. The judge emphasized that Marks bore full responsibility for her actions and acknowledged her personal circumstances, including her role as a mother to a seven-year-old son and her husband's ongoing medical treatment, which includes a series of surgeries scheduled to begin on February 27.

Judge Howarth made it clear that her personal situation did not excuse her behavior but was considered in the sentencing. He also ordered her to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and prohibited her from working unsupervised with males under 18. The case highlights the devastating impact of breaches of trust within educational settings and raises ongoing concerns about safeguarding and professional conduct in schools across Hertfordshire and beyond.