Jonathan Bath

Jonathan Bath, a 42-year-old man from Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on 7 July 2025 for sexual offences committed against an underage girl between July 2005 and July 2007. Bath, who was working as a teaching assistant in Skegness at the time, admitted to two charges of penetrative sexual activity with a child, one charge of sexual activity with a child, and two charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The offences began when Bath offered the 14-year-old girl a lift in his car, during which he contacted her and initiated the abuse by kissing her. He subsequently had sex with her on two occasions in his vehicle. Bath, who was approximately nine years older than the victim, was aware of the unlawfulness of his actions and instructed the girl on what stories to tell if questioned, demonstrating his predatory intent.

The case remained undisclosed for many years until 2022, when Bath began following his victim on Instagram. The victim responded by saying, 'if only they knew what he had done.' In reply, Bath expressed that he felt ashamed every day but later denied the allegations when the victim reported the matter to the police in May 2024, claiming in a prepared statement that the accusations were fabricated.

Prior to these events coming to light, Bath had faced disciplinary action in April 2015 from a teaching misconduct panel. He was prohibited from working in classrooms after engaging in a sexual relationship with a different 18-year-old pupil, though this was not a criminal offence. Judge James House KC, passing sentence, described Bath as a predator and noted the significant age disparity and Bath's lack of good character due to the prior proceedings. The judge stated, 'You were a predator. She was your victim,' and highlighted that Bath's motive for ending the relationship was fear of being caught.

The victim, whose anonymity is protected, read an impact statement in court, describing how her childhood was lost at the hands of a predator and the profound effect on her mental health. She said, 'I do know it has affected me so deeply,' but added, 'I hope this means I can stop this happening to somebody else.' Bath was jailed for five years and three months, made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years, and required to register as a sex offender for life. The case was reported by Lincolnshire World on 7 July 2025.