A teacher at a Bromley school pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a 16-year-old pupil after grooming him at school.

Lauren Cox, 27, of Oxted, Surrey appeared today at Croydon Crown Court wearing black trousers, a jacket, and thick rimmed glasses.

She pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity with a child under 18 in a position of trust.

These included sexual touching on March 9 and March 16 last year as well as sexual intercourse between April and September 2015 when she was 26 and the boy was 16.

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Lauren Cox began a sexual relationship with the 16-year-old boy in January 2015.

She was arrested on September 16 last year after the pupil admitted the abuse to his parents.

Cox first met the pupil in 2012 when he was just 13, weeks after starting a job at the school.

The victim said they formed a close relationship.

In January 2015 she began a sexual relationship with the boy.

They met after school and during school holidays and she also sent explicit photos and videos of herself to the boy.

He ended the relationship in August 2015 after his parents suspected what was going on and he then admitted the relationship.

Cox continued to message the boy.

His parents then informed the headmaster of the school, who contacted social services.

Brian Reece, prosecuting, told the court: "The age gap is just 10 years so this is a school teacher-pupil relationship.

"It is the Crown's case there was a build up to this relationship ahead of the victim's 16th birthday in February last year."

Ronnie Manek, in mitigation for Cox, said: "She's 26-years-old and of good character.

"There was no build up to this, there was no grooming charges on the indictment.

"There is a relationship that went on for about six months or so.

"Miss Cox has seen a clinical psychologist. There's a variety of authorities to consult and these sets of facts are unique."

But Judge Nicholas Ainley warned Cox she could go to jail for more than a year.

He said: "Obviously she has to be aware there is a custodial penalty for these offences.

"I'm ordering a pre-sentence report, but that does not mean that because I'm granting that application there will be no custodial penalty.

"A custodial penalty may well be applied; that would be for the sentencing judge."

Mr Manek added: "She's aware there is a starting point of 12 to 18 months."

Cox was bailed to return to Croydon Crown Court next month to be sentenced.

She was granted bail on condition she does not contact the victim or go to the school.

The officer investigating the case, PC Laura Davies of the sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command, said: "Cox abused her position of trust as a teacher and groomed the boy which went on to sexual abuse.

"The abuse has had an extremely adverse effect on the boy with his studies suffering as a result.

"Cox never once admitted the offences during police interview.She has now admitted the offences today but only because of the wealth of evidence against her.

"Cox displayed dismissive arrogance to the seriousness of the allegations against her.

"It's most concerning that she showed no remorse - as professionals, teachers have a specific duty of care to young people and this was abused."