A former teacher has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after admitting to sexually abusing a teenage boy.
Emily Drury, 26, was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court after pleading guilty to five counts of sexual activity with the boy.
The court heard that Drury initially denied the allegations and refused to answer questions during a police interview.
In a victim impact statement read in court, the boy said the abuse had left lasting emotional effects, making it difficult for him to trust people and participate in social situations.
He said he felt unable to enjoy his childhood and continued to live with the consequences of the abuse.
During sentencing, Judge James House KC said Drury had failed to fully acknowledge the extent of the harm caused to the victim.
The judge acknowledged character references submitted in support of Drury, describing her as a person capable of kindness and compassion, but said her actions had been driven by her own selfish desires.
Drury’s barrister, Jeremy James, described the offending as an uncharacteristic relationship and argued that it represented an attempt by his client to escape the reality of her life.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Julie Jode of Lincolnshire Police said the victim had demonstrated “exceptional courage, dignity and resilience throughout the investigation.
Jode said Drury had abused the position of authority and access she had as an adult to target and manipulate a vulnerable young person.
In addition to the prison sentence, Drury was handed a five-year sexual harm prevention order and restraining order. She will also remain on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.
