Mum-of-three admits having sex with 15-year-old boy

A MOTHER-OF-THREE who had sex with an underage boy has been given a suspended jail term.

Burnley woman Linda Whatton’s offence has made her a pariah in her neighbourhood, Preston Crown Court was told.

The 38-year-old single mum, of Leyland Road, had admitted a charge of sexual activity with a child. She was 37 at the time she had sex with the 15-year-old last year.

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Whatton has been given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with two years’ supervision. A judge also told her she will be on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

Judge Simon Newell said: “This is a very serious matter. Normally people who have sex with someone under 16 go to prison.”

Miss Katie Jones (prosecuting) said Whatton had initially tried to kiss the boy before they began kissing each other. They went on to have sex.

The defendant admitted to police she had sex with the boy, but said she had believed he was 16.

She was a woman of previous good character.

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Mr Paul Lawton (defending) said, by committing the offence, Whatton had exposed her life to intense scrutiny.

He added: “This isn’t a case of a predatory woman seeking out the boy for her own sexual gratification.

“She was under immense stress. She succumbed to what she now realises was a wholly inappropriate piece of behaviour.

“It was a spontaneous decision in drink. It has made her a social pariah in her own neighbourhood.

“She now receives cat calls and threats of violence when she leaves the house. She is a woman in need of intense supervision and assistance.”

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