A former teacher has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to five charges of sexual activity with a teenage boy. Emily Drury, 26, was convicted at Lincoln Crown Court, where the court heard details of her manipulation of the 15-year-old student during private tutoring sessions in 2023.
Key developments in the case:
- Drury was handed a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order lasting five years, in addition to being placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.
- The victim, now 16, provided a victim impact statement describing lasting psychological harm, including difficulty trusting others and avoiding social situations.
Court documents reveal manipulative behavior
Prosecutors presented evidence that Drury engaged in sexual activity with the boy on multiple occasions while acting as his private tutor between May and June 2023. According to court filings, she left a note for the victim stating: ‘I enjoy every piece of you. I don’t know how to stop, or what this is. Here’s £20 just in case…Your Em xoxo.’ Police also recovered a text message from Drury referencing the note and including £20 in cash.
The victim reported the abuse to friends after initially agreeing to keep it secret, leading to rumors that reached his school. Authorities were then notified, prompting an investigation. During interviews, the boy allowed police to examine his phone, which contained messages from Drury.
Judge cites breach of trust and lack of remorse
In sentencing, Judge James House KC stated that Drury had ‘failed to fully accept the magnitude of harm caused’ to the victim. While acknowledging character references submitted on her behalf—describing her as kind and compassionate—the judge emphasized that her actions stemmed from ‘selfish desires’ rather than any mitigating circumstances.
Drury’s defense argued that her conduct was an ‘uncharacteristic, fantastical relationship’ used as an escape from personal struggles, including dissatisfaction with her marriage. However, the court rejected this characterization, noting her position of authority over a vulnerable minor.
Victim’s statement highlights long-term trauma
In his victim impact statement, read aloud in court, the teenager described feeling ‘unable to simply enjoy being a child’ due to the abuse. He stated that he had believed there was a stigma attached to being a male victim of sexual abuse, which contributed to his ongoing struggles with trust and social withdrawal.
Police praise victim’s courage
Detective Constable Julie Jode of Lincolnshire Police commended the victim for showing ‘exceptional courage, dignity, and resilience’ throughout the investigation. Jode condemned Drury’s actions, stating she had ‘exploited the access she had to a vulnerable young person for her own purposes.’
Legal consequences and ongoing restrictions
In addition to her prison sentence, Drury received a five-year sexual harm prevention order and a five-year restraining order, prohibiting contact with the victim. She was also added to the sex offenders' register for a decade, with sentencing guidelines requiring annual reporting for the duration of the order.
The case underscores the legal and ethical obligations of adults in positions of authority to protect minors from abuse, particularly in educational or tutoring settings.