Chapter 31
Today was the day Tilly had been dreading, but knowing Jen was going to be there to help it through settled her mind a little. The police had already rang to tell her what she could expect from the court case. Tilly was told if Hayley pleaded guily to the court she wouldn't need to even attend the case but of course Hayley pleaded not guily and got herself a lawyer, but again the police had already explained they thought there was enough evidence without Tilly having to stand up and go over the whole situation again which made things a little easier for her.
Tilly dressed herself up smartly and set off to the crown court with her parents.
When she finally arrived Jen, Mr Keeler and everyone who was in her class the day everything started was already there waiting for her to go inside the court room. As they were all walking into the room together Jen held herself back a little so she was near Tilly and squeezed her hand tightly. She could have been caught with everyone around but she didn't care, she needed to be there for Tilly when she needed her the most. So Jen took a seat right next to Tilly.
Instantly noticing Hayley standing in the box with 12 members of the public who would decide if she was guily or not beside her.
Firstly everyone was told to stand one by one while each statment was read out for everyone to hear, then soon after Tillys mobile phone recording was played loudly for everyone to hear. The recording Hayley obviously didn't know about by the look on her face. Everything was heard to clearly, she knew this was going to be almost impossible now.
Soon after the court was dissmissed while the decison was made from the jury. So in 15 minutes Tilly would finally find out if Hayley would plead guily or not guilty and the time couldn't come quick enough for her either.
''How are you feeling?'' Jen asked
''I just want it to be over and done with, but I am glad your here'' Tilly smiled
''Don't worry yourself, everything is going to go great'' Jen smiled
That was exactly what was getting Tilly through the day. Jen was there for her when she needed her the most, she was there to hell her everything was going to be ok, and when Hayley was being asked questions in the box, lying out of her teeth Jen was there, right beside her holding tightly onto her hand to show her everything was going to be ok.
Finally it was time to arrive back in the court room and find out if Hayley would be pleading guilty. Tilly didn't really care what happened to her now, this was all in the past she just wanted to move on with her life, without all of the memories of this.
Everyone was told to stand while a member of the jury handed over the peice of paper to the judge with there decision on it. The judge studied the paper for a couple of minutes while everyone waited for a outcome.
''Hayley Johnson; Guilty to the charges of sexual harrassment and abuse and assault to a minor'' the judge spoke.
Tilly and everyone else was releved for the outcome. They already knew she wouldn't get a suspended sentance because this was her first offence but they also knew she wouldn't get off so lightly.
''From now on Hayley Johnson will be band from working in any teaching jobs, and working with anyone under the age of 18, also having 52 hours of community service''
With that the court case was over with, now Hayley would never get another teaching job anywhere. All because of a stupid mistake she made. She cried to herself as everyone was leaving, but not one person felt any sympathy for her. It was her own fault, no one forced her to go on the way she did.
Walking out of the court room there was no way Tilly was looking back now, it was all over and done with and thankfully she had the woman she loved to help her through that.