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Crime

17th Jan 2023

Mum who groomed boy, 15, into sexual relations and took photos spared jail

Steve Hopkins

The woman also admitted possessing indecent images of a child

A mum-of-three who had sexual relations with a 15-year-old boy after giving him cannabis and alcohol has been spared jail after admitting a string of charges.

Nicole Lines, 28, groomed the teen then invited him to her family home in Ramsgate, Kent, telling the boy she was upset.

Once there, she gave the boy cannabis and alcohol before committing a “serious sexual offences”.

According to a report by the Mirror, the boy initially thought he “hit the jackpot” and was “in love”, but later reported Lines to police saying he felt “exploited”.

Lines admitted to two counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of possessing indecent images of a child, and supply and possession of a Class B drug at Canterbury Crown Court.

She was this week sentenced to two-years in prison, but it was suspended for two years, meaning unless she commits further crimes, or fails to comply with any restrictions imposed on her, she won’t serve any prison time.

Lines was also ordered to complete 60 probation days and ten years of notification requirements.

Prosecutor Jai Patel told the court that the relationship was “very emotional and volatile” and left the teenager suicidal, “or at least expressed suicidal thoughts, and thoughts of self-harm”.

Judge Rupert Lowe described Lines’ actions as “serious sexual offences” but said he believed she wasn’t predatorial and became attracted to the boy as a “one-off”.

He said it was clear from messages he had seen, “you and he regarded yourselves as being in a loving relationship which you both valued and his mother was going along with it”.

Lines denied supplying any drugs other than cannabis to the boy, the court heard.

The court was told that Lines grew up in care after a difficult childhood and experienced serious medical and mental health complications and was a “very vulnerable person herself”.

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