Teacher Renee Underwood jailed in the Adelaide District Court for grooming a 14-year-old student

A country teacher has been jailed for grooming a student she was tutoring by sending him sexually explicit messages and photos on Snapchat.

A Riverland teacher has left her victim’s parents with “overwhelming guilt” for trusting her, after she groomed their 14-year-old for sex.

Renee Jade Underwood, 34, wept as she was jailed in the Adelaide District Court on Friday, for exploiting her position of power to meet her own emotional needs.

The court heard Underwood was teaching at a Riverland school when she met the 14-year-old student.

“You connected with him on social media,” Judge Jane Schammer said during sentencing.

Renee Jade Underwood at the District Court ahead of sentencing. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Morgan Sette

“Initially these messages related to his school work but over time your communications with him became increasingly more personal.”

The court heard Underwood, who was married at the time, told the student on Snapchat she had developed feelings for him.

“You admitted to him that you were having sexual thoughts and that you wanted to engage in sexual activity with him,” Judge Schammer said.

The court heard Underwood explained the sexual acts she wanted to do with the student.

“You sent the complainant a photograph depicting your partially exposed breasts, you prompted him to send a revealing photograph of himself in exchange,” Judge Schammer said.

The court heard Underwood also drove the victim home from school, despite it being against school policy.

Renee Underwood leaving the Adelaide District Court last month. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

Underwood was arrested after a parent of one of the victim’s friends reported it to police.

The Stepney woman had previously pleaded guilty to communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity.

The court heard Underwood had written a letter of apology to the student and his parents, saying she had been in a “dark place” but her offending was inexcusable.

“You apologised for the hurt, pain and humiliation you had caused them by your actions,” Judge Schammer said.

“His (the victim’s) parents feel betrayed and are overwhelmed with guilt for trusting you with their son.”

The court heard Underwood, who is a mother to a three-year-old daughter, is no longer able to teach.

Judge Schammer said she had exploited her relationship with the student to meet her own emotional needs.

“You were in a position of trust and authority over the complainant which demanded a particular level of professionalism and care,” she said.

“Your actions betrayed that trust and exploited the imbalance of power in the relationship.”

Judge Schammer sentenced Underwood to one year and six months in jail, with a non-parole period of eight months.