SHELLEY TRINDER FROM HOLLINSWOOD, TELFORD, BANNED FOR LIFE AFTER SEXUAL TEXTS WITH STUDENT

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Telford community, Shelley Trinder, a 30-year-old former support assistant from Hollinswood, Telford, has been permanently barred from working with children following her involvement in a disturbing series of inappropriate communications with a teenage student. The incident, which took place in 2011 at a local school in Shropshire, culminated in her receiving a suspended prison sentence and a series of strict court orders aimed at preventing any future misconduct.

According to the proceedings at Shrewsbury Crown Court, Trinder was employed at a school in Telford where she was responsible for supporting vulnerable students. It was during this period that she began engaging in a troubling pattern of communication with a teenage boy attending the same school. The court heard that Trinder was sending text messages to the boy on a daily basis, fostering an inappropriate and potentially exploitative relationship.

Prosecutor Ms. Raj Punia detailed the extent of her misconduct, revealing that Trinder had provided the boy with the PIN number for her Blackberry phone, allowing him to text her without incurring charges. The messages started innocuously but quickly escalated in nature. Ms. Punia explained, “She gave him the pin number for her Blackberry phone so he could text her for free. He sent her a message saying ‘hi’ and instead of ignoring the message or telling him it was inappropriate to text her, she encouraged this contact.”

In August 2011, the situation took a more serious turn when Trinder sent a message to the boy claiming she was out drinking and expressed that she was ‘horny’. The court was told that the boy initially thought her message was a joke but was prompted to ask her to send a more explicit message. Trinder responded by indicating that if she were older and he were younger, she would have sex with him. The messages then became increasingly sexual, with Trinder discussing performing sex acts on him and engaging in sexual activity. During this period, she also sent him three photographs of herself in a state of nudity, while the boy reciprocated by sending her nude images of himself.

Further investigations revealed that Trinder’s inappropriate conduct extended beyond text messaging. In July 2011, she had begun chatting with some of her students on Facebook, which prompted warnings from her employer, Telford & Wrekin Council. The council’s representatives stated that she was warned about her behavior and told that continuing such activities could jeopardize her employment. Despite these warnings, her misconduct persisted, and by November, authorities were alerted to the ongoing inappropriate activities.

At an earlier hearing, Trinder admitted to a charge of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The court took a stern view of her actions, emphasizing the vulnerability of the young pupil involved and the serious breach of trust. Judge Robin Onions delivered a comprehensive sentence, which included a lifelong ban from working with children, a 20-month jail sentence suspended for two years, and a seven-year sexual offences prevention order. Additionally, Trinder was placed under a supervision order for two years, required to notify authorities of her whereabouts for ten years, and subjected to a three-month curfew.

Judge Onions remarked that the school had acted appropriately by warning her, but she had ignored these warnings. He described the victim as “remarkably vulnerable” and noted that Trinder’s actions appeared to be motivated by sexual attraction. The judge characterized the case as a classic grooming scenario, although no physical contact was made. He warned that any future misconduct would result in immediate imprisonment, emphasizing her unsuitability for a career in education.

Nigel Newman, a spokesperson for Telford & Wrekin Council, confirmed that Trinder was suspended from her role as a support assistant in February 2012 once the allegations surfaced. Following disciplinary proceedings, she was dismissed from her position in March 2013. The case has highlighted the importance of vigilance and strict oversight in safeguarding vulnerable students from exploitation and abuse.