English Teacher Sobs as She Gets Up to 30 Years in Prison for Sex with 3 male Students

Utah teacher Brianne Altice burst into tears once again during her sentencing Thursday, when she was given two to 30 years in prison for having sex with three of her students between the ages of 16 and 17.  more photos after cut...

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"I can tell you, unequivocally, that these boys are victims," a mother of one of the three told the court Thursday, The Salt Lake Tribune reports. "They will be affected by this unlawful relationship throughout their lives."

Altice, 36, has sobbed throughout her court appearances, including when she pleaded guilty to three counts of forcible sex abuse in April – in exchange for having 11 other sex charges dropped, including three first-degree felony rape charges that carried potential life sentences.

The former English teacher, who has children of her own, defended herself, telling the judge who handed down the sentence that people have been judging her unfairly for her actions, which included having sex with one of the boys after she'd already been arrested on rape charges.

"If I could, I would personally apologize to each individual that has been affected by this," she said Thursday. "Grief fills my heart for all involved."

Altice's lawyer described her as a woman who was trapped in a bad marriage, saying she is "troubled" and "has problems with viewing her own worth."

"She blurred the lines between being a teacher and a friend," defense attorney Edward Brass said.

He added that Altice was pursued by the boys, who she claims flirted with her daily.
Source: people.