In 2021, Erin Hebblewhite, the Brighton Sex Offender and teacher from a Leytonstone school, was sentenced to two years in prison after confessing to engaging in a sexual relationship with a student.
Erin Hebblewhite, a 29-year-old sports tutor, confessed to seven charges related to the exploitation of her position to seduce and sexually assault a 16-year-old at Connaught School for Girls.
Erin Hebblewhite engaged in sexual intercourse with the adolescent in a restaurant lavatory on Valentine’s Day and was the first individual to kiss her.
The Sports Teacher of the Year nominee, Erin Hebblewhite, also attempted to coerce her into engaging in sexual activity in the restrooms of Primark during a shopping excursion.
The misconduct was revealed after the adolescent’s phone was confiscated by her mother, and a relative discovered graphic messages despite Erin Hebblewhite’s requests for the girl to erase them.
Four accusations are of sexual conduct with a girl aged 13 to 17 and the exploitation of a position of trust, while the fifth complaint involves sexual behaviour in the presence of a minor.
The other two accusations pertain to the acquisition and possession of indecent images of a female minor under the age of 17.
Judge Neil Sanders, passing sentence, imposed a 10-year restraining order and a sexual harm preventing order banning her from contacting the victim or working with children in any capacity.
He also jailed Erin Hebblewhite for two years, with all charges to run concurrently.
He said, “You sent her a text asking if she liked you. From that point, the relationship developed.
“It developed into flirtation, with you calling her a heart throb, and the sexual encounters began.
“This involved kissing in the school premises and [the complainant] felt she was pressurised and she gave in.
“You went on a date in a restaurant, and that was the first occasion on which there was sex.
“There were rumours going around the school and, in fact, the school warned you to be careful as you could get into trouble.
“When you split up with your partner, [the complainant] would go to your house and the sex would continue in your house.
“She had pictures taken of her. She felt she needed to do so to make you happy.”
He continued: “I have read the victim’s personal statement and can summarise as such the areas [the victim] describes as feeling guilty and shame, depression, PTSD and feeling suicidal.
“She describes the interruption of an important time of education and development.
She talks about the damage to her relationships with her friends, family and her best friend. She says she struggles with adult relationships, and she found the criminal process an ordeal.
“Given the number of your offences, I consider the appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody.’
Erin Hebblewhite, from Brighton, wearing a navy suit and cream jumper, broke down in tears and tried to speak to her girlfriend, who was supporting her sex offender lover from the public gallery.
The complainant attended the sentencing hearing alone but was supported by a police victim support officer.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the people highlighted on this website, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report to Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.