HELEN TURNBULL FROM HASWELL INVOLVED IN SEXUAL GROOMING SCANDAL IN TEESSIDE AND COUNTY DURHAM

In November 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving Helen Turnbull, a 35-year-old teaching assistant from Haswell, County Durham, who was accused of grooming a schoolboy and engaging in inappropriate sexual activities with him. The court proceedings revealed a series of troubling interactions that spanned several weeks, highlighting the dangers of exploitative relationships between trusted adults and minors.

According to the evidence presented at Teesside Crown Court, Turnbull used her position of trust to manipulate a 16-year-old student. She reportedly lured the boy with sweets and cuddles, establishing a pattern of grooming that aimed to build an emotional connection before progressing to sexual contact. The prosecution detailed how Turnbull sent the boy a provocative photograph of herself in her underwear, and the two exchanged suggestive messages via Facebook and her mobile phone, further blurring the boundaries of appropriate conduct.

Helen Turnbull, a mother of two, admitted to kissing the boy but denied engaging in sexual acts or oral sex with him. She pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust, while denying three other related charges. Her defense argued that their contact was limited to kissing, asserting that no further sexual activity took place.

Prosecutor Sarah Mallett emphasized the importance of protecting children from exploitation by adults in positions of authority. She explained to the jury that the case was not about the child's consent but about the grooming process, which often involves manipulative tactics to facilitate sexual abuse. The court heard that Turnbull, known at the school as Miss Robson, paid particular attention to the boy, offering him sweets and cuddles as part of the grooming process.

The court was told that after a school prom, Turnbull returned home intoxicated and changed her Facebook profile picture to a photo taken that night with the student. This act, along with her subsequent actions, led to her marriage breaking down after her husband, Ben, accused her of having an affair. The relationship issues prompted her to reach out to the boy via Facebook, and they arranged to meet outside of school hours.

The first secret meeting involved cuddling and kissing, with Turnbull warning the boy to keep their relationship confidential. Over the following weeks, they met again, and on one occasion, they engaged in sexual activity in her car, although they had to stop when another vehicle approached. The prosecution alleged that there were at least two more instances of sexual activity within a month, during which Turnbull also sent the boy explicit pictures, including one of herself in her underwear.

As the relationship progressed, the boy reportedly began to feel pressured and distanced himself. Turnbull allegedly responded by sending hostile messages when he did not reply to her texts. She also instructed him to delete messages between them, aware that her marriage was in trouble and that she was going through a divorce, which heightened her fears of losing custody of her children. The court heard that Turnbull needed to keep their relationship secret to avoid repercussions.

Further complicating the case, Turnbull lied to her headteacher when questioned about her interactions with the boy, claiming the matter was 'sorted.' The situation escalated when the boy's father discovered Turnbull sitting in her car in their street, despite the boy never having shared his address with her. The father, understandably angry, called her a paedophile, a claim Turnbull denied, though he was too upset to listen.

Following the father's report to police, Turnbull was arrested. During police interviews, she admitted to hugging the boy and giving him sweets in front of others. She also confessed to sending multiple friend requests on Facebook during her marital difficulties, which she later described as a misguided attempt to feel better. In subsequent interviews, she acknowledged sending messages containing sexual banter, claiming they were meant to titillate rather than initiate actual sexual activity.

Police recovered messages discussing plans to stay in a hotel together and sharing a bed, with one message from the boy stating, 'I will turn up but I am not some easy 16-year-old lay. No way will you get my kit off without some graft.' The case remains ongoing as the court continues to examine the evidence and determine the appropriate legal outcome.