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

17 January 2023 , 08:51

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Nicole Lines gave a 15-year-old boy cannabis and alcohol before becoming intimate with him (Image: Facebook)

A mum-of-three who had sexual relations with a 15-year-old boy and took indecent images of the child has been spared jail.

Nicole Lines began grooming the teen when she invited him to her family home in Ramsgate, Kent, and told him she was feeling upset.

The 28-year-old then gave the child cannabis and alcohol, before becoming intimate with him during a series of "serious sexual offences".

At first, the boy believed that he had "hit the jackpot" and was "in love" with Lines, but later reported her to the police, who he told he felt "exploited" by her actions.

Kent police had been suspicious about the situation but were unable to find evidence of Lines' grooming.

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They finally caught her when the boy went to the authorities himself.

Lines was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court in Kent (PA)

Lines was arrested and 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.

Although she was handed a two-year prison sentence for her crimes, this was suspended for two years — which means she doesn't have to go to prison unless she commits further offences or doesn't comply with any requirements imposed.

The court heard how her victim's mental health suffered during the course of her grooming.

Prosecutor Jai Patel said: "The relationship was very emotional and volatile, he became 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 told the convicted sex offender, who cried in the dock: "It is clear from the messages I've 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 admitted to the sexual relationship after her arrest (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The judge also described how the boy felt "he had hit the jackpot, he was in love, he was getting plenty of sex, he was being provided with drugs and alcohol and he thought everything was great."

But in retrospect, the teen felt "exploited and has suffered significant upset and stress as a result of that ill-advised relationship."

"He blames you, and rightly so, because you were an adult," Judge Lowe added.

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Lines admitted the sexual relationship to investigators after her arrest and told them that she "was attracted to the boy", claiming she "knew what she was doing was wrong but he kept coming to her".

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

The court was also told that Lines — who is of previous good character apart from an unpaid railway fare — grew up in care after a difficult childhood and experienced serious medical and mental health complications.

James Burke, mitigating, said that she used cannabis, alcohol and MDMA to self-medicate, and was a "very vulnerable person herself".

Lines appeared visibly distressed during the hearing, where she was supported by a friend in the public gallery.

As well as her suspended sentence, she was ordered to complete 60 probation days and ten years of notification requirements.

Sean Axtell