A woman who sent indecent pictures of herself to a pupil and encouraged him to do the same has been handed a four-month suspended sentence.

Emily Tatra, 27, of Stafford Avenue, Norwich, today (Thursday, June 8) pleaded guilty at Norwich Crown Court to a charge of causing a child to watch a sexual act, whilst she was a person in a position of trust.

The offences happened in March last year.

The court heard how Tatra, then known by her unmarried name Miss Scott, became inappropriately close with a 16-year-old male student at Downham Market Academy, where she was the head of the history department.

Tatra became close with the student while helping him with his GCSE work, and tutored him privately in her office, sometimes with the door closed.

They also interacted over Twitter, before starting to exchange SMS messages.

It culminated in her sending about 30 indecent images and 15 indecent videos of herself to the boy via the social media platform Snapchat.

The boy later reported the crimes to another staff member at the school.

In giving her ruling, Judge Maureen Bacon, QC, said: 'This was all to encourage sexual activity between a 16-year-old boy and yourself. The fact that such sexual activity never happened is not down to you. The young boy became frightened. You have put shame on yourself and, indeed, your profession.'

Tatra was also ordered to do 120 hours unpaid community work and 35 days of rehabilitation.

She was fired from her job, and the court heard her marriage was also at risk of failing.

Detective Constable Nicky Gaughan, who headed the investigation, said: 'By pleading guilty, she has prevented the victim having to relive his ordeal through a trial; however I would like to commend him for the bravery he has shown and we hope this conviction and sentence provides some level of closure.

'We would also like to assure other victims of abuse that every allegation is fully investigated by Norfolk Constabulary, with specialist officers guiding victims through the process.'

Tatra pleaded not guilty to a further charge of abuse of position of trust by inciting a child into sexual activity, contrary to section 17 of the act, which the court ordered to lie on file.

READ MORE: Former Downham Market teacher Emily Tatra from Norwich in court on sex charges